MishMash Opening Conference

14 September 2026, 10:00 –23:00 CEST — Kristiansand — Add to calendar

The MishMash opening conference showcases frameworks and examples based on the three approaches of the centre. It features discussions between researchers from multiple backgrounds, from the perspectives of machines, humans and society.

Interdisciplinary research on AI in cultural & creative ecosystems

Like many technological developments, artificial intelligence (AI) is not only a tool. It reshapes the conditions for creative production, perception, and cultural infrastructures. The MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity, one of six Norwegian AI centres, combines three approaches: it creates AI-based systems, tools and artworks, explores AI in relation to creativity and learning, and it reflects on the impacts of AI.

What the conference offers

The MishMash Opening Conference offers opportunities for all involved in MishMash to meet and deepen their connections around the key research themes. For researchers and experts outside MishMash, the conference offers opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions about research on AI and creativity, and to get acquainted with the unique profile of MishMash and its researchers.

Draft programme

Subject to changes. The full programme is published in the week before the conference.

Monday, September 14th
09:15 registration opens
10:00 Central opening session
10:30 KEYNOTE: Prof. Jane C. Ginsburg, Professor of Literary and Artistic Property Law at Columbia University School of Law
11:15 Plenary introductions Humans, Machines, Society
11:30 3 parallel tracks around the themes Humans, Machines, Society

12:45 Lunch with poster presentations; the poster presentations are clustered around 8 themes: 1. Human-AI interaction & perception, 2. Heritage, archives & collections, 3. Music making & AI, 4. Understanding and testing AI, 5. AI in education, 6. AI for health & wellbeing, 7. Artistic research & creative works, 8. Responsible AI & critical futures

14:00 7 parallel tracks, detailed titles follow soon. Topics include the interaction between humans and technology in dynamic performances, the impact of AI on artistic integrity and human aesthetic, the application of AI in (music) therapy, educational contexts, and in the organisation and protection of cultural heritage, as well as the impact of AI on the creative and cultural industries, and reflections on the algorithmic, personal and societal challenges of the interaction between AI and human creativity.
15:30 Poster presentations (continued); the poster presentations are clustered around 8 themes: 1. Human-AI interaction & perception, 2. Heritage, archives & collections, 3. Music making & AI, 4. Understanding and testing AI, 5. AI in education, 6. AI for health & wellbeing, 7. Artistic research & creative works, 8. Responsible AI & critical futures
16:15 KEYNOTE: speaker to be confirmed
17:00 Plenary closing session: setting the agenda for the near future & closing statements
17:45 end of the daytime programme
19:00 MishMash LIVE: social event with food, drinks and inspiration
23:00 End of the Monday programme

Tuesday, September 15th 08:30 MishMash Work Package meetings (closed, invite-only)
10:00 opening of TechArt - see the separate TechArt page for the details on the daytime programme
19:00 Closing reception with food, drinks and performance
23:00 End of the conference

Inspiring environment

We meet in Southern Norway, in the heart of Kristiansand’s modern cultural district: the New York Times and TIME Magazine recognised Kunstsilo museum and the award-winning Kilden concert hall. The conference aims to create an inspiring environment for the exploration of research and artistic creation in interaction with artificial intelligence.

Back to back with Tech:Art on Tuesday

The MishMash Opening Conference is organised back to back with Tech:Art at Kilden performing arts centre. Tech:Art, on Tuesday the 15th of September, focuses on the interaction between research and cultural and creative partners. It is aimed at inspiring organisations in the cultural field and facilitating dialogue between these organisations and researchers. Stay around for Tech:Art to discuss opportunities for (artistic) researchers, technology developers and the creative organisations to co-create!

Poster presentations

Researchers are invited to submit an abstract for presentation at the conference in the form of a poster presentation. We invite practice-oriented and theoretical work, both fully completed research projects and research-in-progress. The poster presentations are an excellent opportunity to meet other researchers and collect feedback on your work.