AI-Based Art in Europe — Regulate, Support, Enable?

Europe’s cultural landscape is facing a far-reaching transformation: How is artificial intelligence making its way into creative practice? How can productive engagement with AI in the arts be encouraged? And might there even be a need for a dedicated AI center for artists and cultural practitioners? Together with experts and members of the cultural community, ZKM Karlsruhe will explore these questions at this year’s matinee as part of Berlin Art Week 2026. The discussion will focus on the creative freedom, policy frameworks, and networks that the arts in Europe will need in the future. Together with artist Mario Klingemann / Quasimondo, these questions will be explored from different perspectives.

With ZKM in Karlsruhe, Germany already has a globally connected and internationally recognized center of expertise for innovative media in the arts. Artificial intelligence is one of the institution’s key areas of research, production, and exhibition, where it is approached both as a creative tool and as an object of critical reflection. Through the interplay of curatorial practice and research—particularly at ZKM Hertzlab, the institution’s artistic research and development department—new AI-based works and formats are continually being developed, making the interactions between humans, machines, and society accessible to broad audiences.

The discussion will be moderated by Tina Lorenz, ZKM, Karlsruhe, who will also give an introductory talk.