2024-25 in review: our public engagement

Throughout the academic year, we’ve made strides in our public engagement and online presence. The former can be seen in terms of our AHEAD initiative and our Visual AI Literacy toolkit. Latter can be seen in terms of this very website and also the launch of our YouTube channel.

The AHEAD project an exciting new public engagement initiative, led by Adi Kuntsman and Jessica Elias, in collaboration with the AI Artist and researcher, Dr Sam Martin. Supported by  AHEAD – the Arts and Humanities engagement and dialogue programme –  the project explores visual generative AI in dialogue with national and international experts in digital literacy, misinformation and technological challenges, and shares AI literacy tools with local communities across Manchester and beyond.

The Visual AI Literacy toolkit is our new web-based resource designed to help learners stay ahead of the AI misinformation curve. The Visual AI Literacy Toolkit introduces the fundamentals of visual generative AI and explores how AI-generated images are shaping public understanding — from fake protest scenes and deep-faked politicians to AI beauty filters and images spreading misinformation around war, conflict, and trauma.

Our shiny new website includes a whole host of features cataloguing what we’ve been up to. Featured sections include our News page which shares exciting updates about our members and wider research group and our Events page which shares the upcoming talks, seminars and panels to look out for. 

Our YouTube channel offers a selective collection of previous events to rewatch back at your leisure. It also offers an opportunity for those who couldn’t make the event to catch up on what has been discussed.

Feel free to explore both our website and our YouTube channel to see all DISC has to offer!