Artificial Intelligence, Artists, the Arts Sector and Creative Practitioners: Position Statement

Artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular generative AI, has moved from a specialist technology into a tool of everyday use across the arts sector and the wider public sector. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) needs a clear, consistent and durable yet flexible position on its expectations of funding applicants and how it makes decisions about adoption of AI.

This position paper is informed by a survey of ACNI staff conducted in 2025, which identified current AI use, capability needs and concerns across the organisation. It reflects engagement with Arts Council England's emerging AI framework and learning from meetings with other arts councils exploring similar approaches.

This work has been shaped by an AI working group established within ACNI and by online training delivered through the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Technology (CAST) on the landscape of AI options.

In keeping with the spirit of this policy, this work has been assisted by Copilot to check for accuracy about the latest developments in AI, and revising spelling, grammar, syntax and logic.