As we enter a new era of partnership between humans and machines, the decisive role remains with the human being: the search for and creation of deeper meanings. Emotion lies at the heart of any creation, and machines do not experience emotion. This makes questions of authorship and responsibility for products created in particular with AI especially acute. VEB.RF Chairman Igor Shuvalov shared his view on the future technologization of business and culture at the XI St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum.
“The technologization of business also requires substantial work with culture in the broadest sense. We must openly raise and discuss the toughest questions: does humanity risk losing individuality and seeing creative, generative work replaced by algorithms? How do we determine the authorship of a cultural product and what values does it convey? What responsibility do technology developers and content creators bear to society?” said Igor Shuvalov.
The transformation of business under the impact of new technologies raises a number of ethical and legal issues. According to the VEB.RF Chairman, the answers to these questions will largely determine the further development of the country’s entire business landscape: “We understand that the current legal regulation of modern technologies and artificial intelligence does not meet society’s growing needs. Together with Skoltech, the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, and universities including MSU, we will develop this legal framework. Supporting authors should, on the one hand, be a matter of good form, and on the other hand, be enshrined in law.”
The unique cultural code now taking shape under the influence of modern technologies is an integral part of the formula for success in achieving Russia’s technological leadership.
“Technological leadership is impossible without what unites us. We are united by love for our country, by patriotism. Today we spoke about emotions and feelings. In these feelings we must be united around the cultural code, around everything that forms our foundation. We must develop this cultural foundation and pass it on to future generations, through educational programs including opportunities for public enlightenment and more,” Shuvalov emphasized.
The thematic session “Technologies of Culture,” organized by VEB.RF, took place at the Cameron Gallery of Tsarskoye Selo. Participants included renowned figures from the arts and business: conductor Yuri Bashmet, opera director Hans-Joachim Frey, producers Artyom Mikhalkov and Pavel Peregudov, entrepreneur Alexander Shcheryakov, and songwriter and performer Artyom Zatsepin.
During the discussion, experts agreed that in the era of digitalization it is critically important to maintain a balance between technological innovation and cultural identity. They also concluded that Russia needs to develop its own path for the technological development of the cultural sphere while preserving national values and traditions.