Twelve South African creatives selected for the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) ‘Unrecorded Voices’ AI Programme

Twelve South African creatives have been chosen for the Unrecorded Voices explorative Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme hosted by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in partnership with French studio u2p050 and the Playtopia Festival.

The programme aims to merge cutting-edge AI technology with artistic and cultural narratives, enabling participants to explore AI's transformative potential across diverse disciplines such as animation, visual arts, architecture, curation, broadcasting, immersive storytelling, gaming, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).

Programme Overview

The Unrecorded Voices programme begins on 29 October 2024 and focuses on using AI to reimagine historical storytelling. The participants will take part in workshops, mentorships, and collaborative exhibitions, creating AI-generated visual and auditory representations of unrecorded or marginalised histories.

Through this blend of AI and traditional historical research, the programme aims to redefine storytelling while addressing the ethical implications of generating synthetic historical content.

The culmination of the programme will be a series of AI-generated short films or interactive experiences, showcased during the Playtopia Festival in Cape Town from 6 to 7 December 2024.

Meet the Cohort

The 2024 cohort of Unrecorded Voices includes creatives exploring themes such as environmental justice, social equity, and marginalised histories:

• Chelsi Leonora Goliath: Creative technologist and immersive artist studying human-robot interaction.
• Dune Tilley: Multidisciplinary creative and founder of Luca, focusing on AI-driven solutions.
• Elize Vossgätter: Visual artist investigating the relationship between humanity and nature.
• Henrietta Scholtz: Visual archaeologist exploring the evolution of technology and culture.
• Irish Éire Sloane: Animator integrating AI into animation workflows.
• Lomawa Elizabeth Maelane: Digital media artist unpacking African heritage through multimedia.
• Mika’il the Muezzin: Architect and storyteller addressing social justice and identity.
• Nhlanhla Michael Dhlamini: Digital musician and AI activist exploring digital mysticism.
• Nicola Pilkington: Interdisciplinary artist and UCT lecturer specialising in performance art.
• Siphokazi Matshaka: Fine Arts student using AI and coding in creative processes.
• Vanessa Chen: PhD candidate researching the early Chinese community in South Africa.
• Xopher Wallace: Creative technologist focusing on immersive AR and VR storytelling.

A Platform for Innovation

“The participants have motivated their involvement with the programme based on myriad potential outcomes,” explains Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, Regional Head of New Media, Film & Music at IFAS.

“From redefining historical documentation to reconstructing neglected histories and addressing environmental and social justice, these pioneering efforts will push the boundaries of AI storytelling.”

Supported by IFAS and the Institut français in Paris, the programme forms part of Novembre Numérique (Digital November), a global initiative celebrating digital cultures.

Press Release Submitted By

Company Name: French Institute of South AfricaContact Person: Emmanuelle Denavit-FellerWebsite: French Institute of South Africa

Total Words: 486

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