Dr Oonagh Murphy leads programme supporting leaders with AI

The Executive Leadership Programme, drawing on two years of research, will be a six-day, in-person programme for Chief Executives, Chief Operating Officers and Executive Directors, designed to support senior leaders of cultural organisations to engage with AI in a thoughtful, values-led way.

In a world where AI is no longer a buzzword but a part of daily reality, this programme offers a space for leaders to move towards thinking about AI strategically and seeks to create conditions for informed decision making. It aims to bring together senior leaders to reflect, share ideas and develop approaches that work for their organisations.

The programme will cover:

• AI and cultural stewardship
• AI capabilities, limitations and strategic implications
• Organisational transformation and workforce development
• Governance, policy and decision making
• Strategy development and implementation
• Sector leadership and advocacy for the future of arts and culture

The programme will be led by Dr Murphy - who is a leading expert on the impact of AI technologies in the cultural sector - and each module will be anchored by a thought leader, business expert or creative practitioner sharing their approach to AI technologies.

Applications for the programme are now open, closing on 25 September at 5pm. It will be free to attend, and will consist of two cohorts with 20 spaces each - one for organisations with an annual turnover of £1 million or more, and one for organisations with an annual turnover of less than £1 million.

This comes following Dr Murphy's work on the 'AI Technologies and Emerging Forms of Creative Practice' report earlier this year, which analysed how the cultural sector in England is engaging with AI, analysing investment in AI and creative practice by Arts Council England (ACE) from 2019-2025.

The programme forms part of the Responsible AI Cultural Leaders Academy, which launched earlier this year, funded and led by ACE. There are plans for a shorter, online offer for those working across the cultural sector to be developed in 2027.

Dr Murphy said, "The Responsible AI Cultural Leaders Academy creates space for leaders to come together, examine the opportunities and challenges these technologies present, and develop approaches that reflect the values of creativity, equity and public service."

"Through partnership with Arts Council England, Bloomberg Philanthropies, UKRI AHRC Bridging Responsible AI Divides Programme, Goldsmiths is demonstrating how research can have real-world impact, supporting organisations to navigate technological change while helping establish new standards for responsible AI leadership across the sector," she added.

Dawn Airey, Chair, Arts Council England said: "As the national development agency for arts and culture, Arts Council England responds to the needs of our sector, and this new AI Academy does just that, by equipping cultural leaders with the confidence to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, helping our sector to flourish."

The Responsible AI Cultural Leaders Academy is led by ACE, with additional support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and BRAID, (Bridging Responsible AI Divdies) and delivered with academic support from Goldsmiths, University of London. Whilst this is a non-accredited offer, it is supported by Goldsmiths as an academic partner.