OBX Connects 13 - AI as Collaborator

Free - Open to all

OBX Connects is a series of talks and informal meet-ups at the OB Cafe for anyone working with or curious about creative technology. Whether you're an artist, maker, technologist, engineer, dancer, musician, activist, or just interested in how tech intersects with creativity, come along and connect with others pushing boundaries in their fields in Hastings.

Tickets are free but we request everyone to book in advance.

🎤 Talks for this session

A Reflection on Making and Meaning in the Age of Generative AI - Mrs Luva Luva

AI video has evolved at a dizzying pace. From the jittery clips of Disco Diffusion in 2022 to the near flawless realism of Veo 3 and Sora less than four years later, the acceleration has been extraordinary.

This talk traces my experiments with AI video through short films and art projects alongside the rapid changes in its technology. What began as excitement with making images and videos grew into a deeper awareness of the productionist mindset shaping digital culture. As large language models advanced, I realised that skills once requiring years of practice could now be achieved through conversation, like working with an extraordinarily capable assistant. It felt like a superpower, we all suddenly had access to what could be called augmented intelligence, meaning there was no longer a skill based barrier to entry, and I could do pretty much anything.

To see how far this collaboration could go, I started a small fashion brand making silk scarves and garments.

I later used AI to create a pop song and video about the project, built from the real images that began the experiment.

Slow by Design - Dr Maria Teresa Llano

About the talk:

Generative AI systems are capable of producing vast amounts of output from relatively minimal input; however, there is a call for a shift away from the dominant framing of AI as a tool for maximising or optimising performance, and instead recognise it as an active material in the creative process.In this talk, I propose the exploration of alternative forms of interactions with AI technologies guided by the principles of slow technology, which emphasises the value of reflection, and the importance of appreciating multiple scales of temporality such as ongoingness, anticipation and long-term evolution - over instant gratification and efficiency. By applying these principles, new methods for integrating AI into artistic workflows can be uncovered and AI technologies can be harnessed for creative tasks. To illustrate this, I will present the ‘Memetic Mixer’, a tangible interface that employs magnetic poetry as an embodied text input system, while instructional prompts for a large language model are generated through the manipulation of physical control knobs and motorised faders. The design maps physical controls to elements within prompt chains, enabling nuanced control and variation, seeking to encourage reflection and sustained interest.

Find out more about Mrs Luva Luva (aka Amy)

Mrs Luva-Luva is a visual artist working across sculpture, textiles, AI video, and installation. Her practice explores how technology shapes perception, labour, and identity, tracing the points where digital systems leak into physical experience.

Drawing from both craft traditions and machine intelligence, she creates works that hover between human touch and algorithmic process. Projects such as the speculative fashion label Luva Land, the sculptural Late Stage Brologluglia, and the AI generated video What We Gave examine authorship, visibility, and agency within a data driven culture.

Rooted in curiosity and play, her approach moves restlessly across mediums, allowing accidents and instincts to guide the making. Through these shifting forms she questions what it means to stay private, present, and creative within systems increasingly optimised to turn our life into commodifiable data.

https://www.mrsluvaluva.co.uk/

Find out more about Dr Maria Teresa Llano

Dr Maria Teresa Llano is a Computer Science Researcher and Associate Professor in Creative AI at University of Sussex, working as part of the Human-Centred Technology Lab. Her work focuses on investigating the development of novel models of human-computer co-creation, by applying techniques from different areas of AI to create systems that support people in their creative process. Dr. Llano has been involved in multiple creative projects and exhibitions, and her research interests include co-creative systems, human-computer interaction, and explainable AI. Dr. Llano is also deeply interested in the philosophical and ethical questions regarding the use of AI in creative domains.

Photo credits - Mrs Luva Luva and Dr Maria Teresa Llano

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