AI concerns in the arts loom over city’s youth summit

By Stephanie Ahn

Hundreds of teenagers attended the Mayor’s Youth Summit recently for live performances, painting displays and interactive art booths, but some caution against the rise of artificial intelligence in their creative endeavors.

“It’s crazy how advanced [AI] is getting. It’s terrifying that creative spaces that were run by people are now being taken over,” said Yara Munif, a 14-year-old East Boston high schooler, who attended the summit. 

The summit, hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Youth Engagement, was held Feb. 21 in South Boston’s Artists for Humanity EpiCenter with about 600 attendees, ages 14 to 19.

The summit aims to give young people a stage to perform and share their art while building meaningful connections with peers from every neighborhood, officials said. 

Multiple youth groups performed, including Beat the Odds, Boston Music Project, Teen Empowerment and other local organizations. Performances included an ensemble of brass instruments, a violin duet, hip-hop dancing and rapping.   

For many teenagers at the summit, using a screen is part of their daily routine, whether it is scrolling on TikTok, posting on Instagram or doing their homework on a Chromebook. 

The summit moved teenagers away from the screens, allowing them to interact with one another and try art-related activities. The event comes at a time when many young people, who came of age during the pandemic, are seeking more in-person connections.  Some of the attendees discussed the negative impact of AI on the younger generation, live performances and cultural representation. 

“Of course, being behind a screen and [using] online networks are great for global connection, but having these local art communities … is just reassuring to know and very positive,” said Gloriann Zhou, a Boston University student who also works for 

the Community Music Center of Boston, which put on a live performance at the summit.

Zhou said she’s concerned about the encroachment of AI on her student’s creativity at the center, which helps children explore different genres of music and learn new instruments. She also noted that it can be difficult as a teacher to tell what is AI-generated art versus human-made art. 

“In fact, I’m totally against people that straight-up use AI to create their work. I give them a little bit of leeway [if it] helps point them in the direction they want, but I’m absolutely against creating the whole entire work [with AI],” said Zhou. 

Anahi Cruz, a Northeastern University student, said that art is based on being present and bearing witness to the times. It’s also about representing culture and humanity. AI is incapable of doing that, she added. 

“Being Latina, [I see that] art tells the history and the times. There’s so many different forms in music, poetry, writing and visual arts. It’s really about being present … that makes such a difference [compared] to AI,” said Cruz in an interview. 

Ameera Suttles, a Suffolk University student from Dorchester, emphasized the importance of having live music and performances at these summits, adding that they cannot be replicated by AI. 

“Every single singer I’ve ever loved has touched me on a human level,’’ said Suttles in an interview. “This event is truly just people socializing and enjoying each other’s presence — something AI would not be able to achieve.”