By Lookout Staff

November 1, 2023 -- Santa Monica College's Fall Arts and Cultural Affairs Forum will focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the arts and how humans are fighting back.

The forum will conclude with the 50th annual holiday presentation of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet -- an old-fashioned onstage extravaganza with live human performers.

The theme of the forum -- which takes place from November 10 to December 3 -- is “The Arts & the AI Apocalypse: Humans Strike Back.” It includes live performances, films and two panel discussions

Sponsored by SMC's Public Policy Institute (PPI) and the SMC Associated Students, the forum "explores the manifestation of artificial intelligence in the arts."

The forum "allows us to understand the issues from experts on the forefront of research about AI’s impact, as well as from those on the front line of protecting humans’ creative lives from being usurped by technology,” said PPI co-director and SMC political science professor Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein.

The theme is "particularly evident in this year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes," event organizers said.

The forum kicks off Friday, November 10 with the week-long “Ethos Film Awards International Film Festival,” which will screen films and present awards at selected local venues and online.

The festival's aim is "to conceptualize a vision for a better future by highlighting a 'purpose-driven' artistic approach to the impact and meaning of story," organizers said.

For schedule, location and ticket details visit filmfreeway.com/ethosfilmawards

On Monday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m. PPI will host a panel discussion titled “Art in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” with experts from RAND Corporation, an SMC philosophy professor and an SMC student

The free event will be held at the Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the main SMC campus, 1900 Pico Boulevard.

At the same venue on Wednesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. KCRW host Kim Masters will lead a free panel discussion with actor and producer Woody Schultz titled “How Are Humans Striking Back?”

Schultz, who is also a second unit/assistant director, is a member of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating team as representative on AI issues.

The forum concludes with the 50th annual holiday performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet by the Westside School of Ballet, the SMC Nutcracker Symphony and SMC dancers.

The "live, in-theater performance" feature's Tchaikovsky’s "majestic score" and Balanchine’s "exuberant choreography, falling snow, and a Christmas tree that grows."

Performances will be held at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 25 and December 2, and Sunday, November 26 and December 3, in The Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center at 11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. Onsite parking is free.

For ticket details visit westsideballet.com