Spark CBC Discover & Learn

Artificial intelligence can be an artistic collaborator, but can it be thought of as creative on its own? Or even as understanding creativity? And if you're a human creator, and you want to create for other PEOPLE, how do you reach them in a digital system run by algorithms? We look at the nature of creativity in digital culture.

For this final new episode of the show, we looked to the creator for direction (the creator of Spark - Nora Young!) She wanted it not to be a look back at what we've done, but forward-facing and positive. Sad as we are to end this show at a time when you could argue it's needed most, we bring you an episode with three reasons to be hopeful about the future. Thank you for listening and being part of the greater Spark community.                         

It's possible that the propensity to convince ourselves we have control over things —even when we don't— is the most uniquely human thing there is. But as we speed ever faster toward an AI world, will true agency even matter as long as we believe we have it?

The Olympics are just around the corner, and this summer in Paris, officials are planning a suite of security tools bolstered by AI — from spotting abandoned packages to predicting the movement of crowds. But as AI security rolls out for major public events, and at our borders, how do we balance safety, security, and privacy and guard against this becoming the new normal? 

From coveting Walkmans to using point-and-shoot cameras, there's been a growing trend over the past few years of teens wanting multiple, single-purpose, un-connected devices. It's not all about the past, though. Captivating new AI character bots are helping teens practice socializing, and giving them novel ways of learning in the classroom too.

Nora Young and Michelle Parise chat about 17 years of making Spark and listen to some messages from very special guests.