How can we nurture the desire to create in the age of AI? This question is at the heart of “New Forms of Creative Knowledge”, geniaLAB’s first annual Forum, taking place on 23 and 24 October 2026 at AANT’s campus at Via Monza 21, Rome.
The two-day event will bring together art, philosophy, research and education to explore the relationship between artificial intelligence and creative processes. It builds on the work of geniaLAB, AANT’s interdisciplinary research HUB dedicated to generative AI, digital culture, cognitive technologies and creative innovation.
On Friday 23 October, the programme will open with a welcome address by Rossana Quarta, Director of AANT, followed by “A Year of geniaLAB”, presented by Gianna Angelini, AANT’s Scientific Director and geniaLAB Coordinator. Andrea Colamedici, Chair of geniaLAB’s Scientific Committee, will then deliver a talk entitled “AI: Apocalyptic Intelligence. Navigating Alarmism and Marketing”.
The day’s three sessions will address the question “How can we nurture the desire to create in the age of AI?” Each speaker will have fifteen minutes to offer a response drawing on their own perspective and experience. Contributors will include Massimo Canevacci, Maura Gancitano, Sabina Minardi, Paolo Granata, Pier Luigi Capucci, Simone Arcagni, Marco Gori, Emanuele Frontoni, Luna Bianchi, Alex Braga and Derrick de Kerckhove. Each session will be followed by a discussion, moderated respectively by Andrea Colamedici, Maura Gancitano and Gianna Angelini.
The final part of the afternoon will feature a closing lecture and discussion with Fr Andrea Ciucci, Secretary General of the Vatican RenAIssance Foundation. The day will conclude with a presentation of the outcomes of “AI&ME: The Fine Line Between Creativity and Generativity”, a workshop led by Alex Braga with AANT students, bringing theoretical reflection into dialogue with creative experimentation.
On Saturday 24 October, the Forum will continue in the Giardino d’inverno, focusing on the question “How can we inspire and develop the desire to create in the age of AI?” Following the opening remarks by Gianna Angelini, speakers will include Rossana Quarta for AANT; Riccardo Balbo, Academic Director of the IED Group; Anthony Marasco, Chair of NABA’s AI Committee; and Giovanna Cassese, a member of ANVUR’s Governing Board, Italy’s National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes.
The morning, intended for interested faculty members, will continue with an open discussion between the academies and members of AANT’s and geniaLAB’s Scientific Committee, moderated by Gianna Angelini and Andrea Colamedici. Building on themes emerging from the previous day, the discussion will explore the role of education and artistic and design research, including how research is evaluated in the age of AI.
The aim is to build a common approach to the challenges facing institutions of higher arts education and lay the foundations for a lasting dialogue, supporting ongoing reflection on changes in creative processes, teaching and research.