# Turing AI & Arts Interest Group - Terms of Reference

## **Introduction**

The AI & arts interest group is a multi-disciplinary effort rooted within the Alan Turing Institute encompassing multiple stakeholders drawn from academia to cultural heritage institutions to the creative industries and policy makers.

The group is motivated by the fact that we are currently experiencing a digital revolution driven by the constantly increasing amount of data in our world. The ability to create, interrogate and use this wealth of data enables us to promote meaningful and insightful collaborations across the different disciplines represented by our group, sector partners, affiliated organisations and creatives.

In particular, the availability of rich datasets within the arts -- including cultural heritage institutions --, the combined knowledge and experiences of our members and today's computational methods enable us to explore new tools to investigate emerging large multi-dimensional datasets and creative practices; to understand how data science and the arts influence one another; and to create new knowledge driving forward research at the interface between AI, data science and the arts.

**Membership**

The Turing AI & Arts Interest Group Members are individuals associated with the Turing AI & Arts Interest group who can participate in the group's activities. They can contribute to or lead on the organisation of the group's initiatives, which can include talks, conferences, seminars, webinars, online discussions, etc.

All members can contribute to the AI & Arts activities and access a dedicated digital space (Slack space). The digital space operates under the Alan Turing Institute's social media policies, is managed by the AI&Arts Interest Group Organisers. It is designed to add value to the membership by providing:

- Agility in the community's communications, who will be able to share ideas and opportunities with minimal central management
- Broaden the participation of members who could benefit from the group without being associated with an institution (recognising that the creative sector is composed by a large number of freelance practitioners)
- A range of channels catering to the broad remit of AI & Arts, enabling the community to self-organise around topics and research interests
- An organic sense of community and cohesion
- A focus on UK's national developments and opportunities, with an international outlook

Activities to be produced by the group membership or in association with the AI&Arts Interest group can be proposed and delivered by its members. These need to be coordinated by the Organisers who, in consultation with the Steering Committee, have the responsibility to make sure that any activity is designed within the group's remit and follow the Alan Turing Institute's  policies and guidelines. External facing activities, such as events, publications or any other non-internal matters, in-person or online should not take place on behalf of or in association with the group without following the due approval process led by the Organisers.

**The Steering Committee**

The Steering Committee is a group of members with responsibility for coordinating and making high-level management decisions about the group's activities. They are a legacy group from the representatives of the Turing University Network and other AI&Arts Group founding cultural institutions. They can be identified in the [group's webpage ](https://www.turing.ac.uk/research/interest-groups/ai-arts)in the Alan Turing Institute website.

### OUR VALUES

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to equality diversity and inclusion and to eliminating discrimination. Everyone engaging in Turing activities are expected to follow[ the Turing's EDI Principles](https://www.turing.ac.uk/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion).


**Respect** -- We treat everyone with respect, dignity and kindness and acknowledge the experiences, skills and contributions of others.

**Trust** - We communicate openly and honestly to support an environment where we have trust in each other.

**Transparency** -- We seek to ensure that everyone understands the how and the why of our decisions and actions. We take on board to feedback when those decisions are challenged.

**Inclusivity** -- We are committed to continuously learning how to be more inclusive by listening to those facing barriers.

**Leadership** -- We recognise creating an inclusive, diverse and equitable institute requires leadership from all. We stand up and speak out when change is needed.

**Integrity** -- We recognise that how we work is as important as our outputs and seek to exemplify best practice in all our decisions.

**EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION**

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly.  In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications to the AI & Arts group from anyone working or interested in the intersection of AI and Arts regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.  

We are committed to building a diverse community.

**Membership policy**

The AI&Arts group welcomes a wide range of stakeholders working in the intersection of art, data science and artificial intelligence, including but not exclusively researchers, arts practitioners, producers, managers, technicians, developers, policy makers and other professionals working for themselves, small or large organisations in the private, academic and third sectors. Individuals interested in joining the group or in having more information, should write to <[e-mail]> stating their experience with arts, data and AI. Membership requests need to disclose any conflicts of interest with the community's aims and ethos. Membership of the group provides access to the AI&Arts Slack Space. It is the responsibility of the Group Organisers to approve or decline membership requests, which will not be unreasonably denied. Disagreements with the Organisers' decisions can be disputed by contacting <[e-mail]>.

## Code of Conduct (based on the Turing Way Project* Code of Conduct)

The AI & Arts group is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all people, regardless of background or identity. As such, we do not tolerate behaviour that is disrespectful to our community members or that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort to others. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on characteristics that include, but are not limited to: gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, citizenship, nationality, ethnic or social origin, pregnancy, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, religion or belief (or lack thereof), membership of a national minority, property, age, education, socio-economic status, technical choices, and experience level.

Everyone who participates in the AI & Arts group activities is required to conform to this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all spaces managed by the AI & Arts group including, but not limited to, in person talks and workshops, and communications online. By participating, contributors indicate their acceptance of the procedures by which the AI & Arts Group Organisers resolves any Code of Conduct incidents, which may include storage and processing of their personal information. The group organisers can be identified in the [group's webpage ](https://www.turing.ac.uk/research/interest-groups/ai-arts)in the Alan Turing Institute website. They can be contacted as a group at <[e-mail]>. Alternatively, André Piza <[e-mail]> or Lukas Nohrer <[e-mail]> can be contacted individually by those wanting to raise any conduct issue in the group.

(*) The Turing Way is an open source, open collaboration, and community-driven project supported and funded by the Alan Turing Institute.

## **Turing AI & Arts Group Slack Space**

**Purpose**

The AI&Arts Slack space purpose is to connect the members of the Turing AI & Arts Interest Group, bringing together a supportive community working in the intersection of data science research and all the arts domain areas, including those usually associated with the creative industries. The group aims to create an environment for all stakeholders to support each other, sharing resources, expertise, opportunities, and have discussions to advance the field of data science and the arts.

**Quick Start Guide**

If you are new to Slack, or even if you are not,[ here is some useful guidance](https://zenodo.org/record/3763730) on how to get started and some etiquette hints that will help you get the most of the online platform, contribute to a healthy environment and avoid misunderstandings.

(*) "Slack quick start guide" by Lou Woodley and Katie Pratt is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.

Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement. (2020) Slack quick start guide. Woodley and Pratt doi:10.5281/zenodo.3763730