The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the OpenAI Foundation as part of a multimillion dollar disbursement to hundreds of nonprofits across the country.
Executive Director Christina Salerno said the orchestra doesn’t anticipate using artificial intelligence in its live performances at all.
“What we’re looking to do is use AI behind the scenes to help amplify what we do and get the word out, even more, to communities,” Salerno said.
The issue of if and how generative AI technology should be used in the arts has been a source of substantial controversy.
High-profile uses of AI-generated visuals, such as in the opening credits of Marvel’s “Secret Invasion” and more recently in “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,” have generated waves of backlash and criticism. The use of AI in the movie industry was a central issue to the 2023 actors’ strike.
“It is a very interesting time, and that’s why we want to be at the forefront of trying to decide for ourselves how we’re going to utilize AI, without kind of putting our head in the sand and saying that we’re just not going to engage with the technology at all,” Salerno said. “Because I think the technology is very much here to stay, and will be moving forward.”
Salerno said the orchestra plans to use the grant funds to train staff on AI literacy and to develop an organizational policy for its use.
“We’re really anticipating this mostly being on the administrative side,” she said. “Things like helping us with our budgeting, messaging, our communications, how staff interact, if there’s ways to be able to cut down on some of the task-oriented busywork that needs to get done.”
OpenAI will distribute $40.5 million in unrestricted grants from its People-First AI Fund to 208 nonprofits by the end of the year, it announced Dec. 3.
“This cohort includes organizations that are mission-driven, community-centered, and ready to move,” OpenAI’s announcement said. “Many have never used AI or are early in their exploration, reflecting the Fund’s goal of supporting trusted local organizations at the front lines of community impact.”
A second wave of grants totalling $9.5 million will be announced in the coming months, the announcement said.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Park Forest and mostly performing in Palos Heights, was one of 18 arts and culture organizations chosen as grant recipients, and one of only five performing arts organizations, according to a news release announcing the award.
There is one other orchestra organization, Three Rivers Young Peoples’ Orchestras in Pennsylvania, included on the list of recipients.
“It’s going to be very interesting to watch how the arts field deals with AI moving forward,” Salerno said. “Hopefully we can all find a way to be able to utilize the technology to increase access and opportunity.”
Two other Chicago-area organizations were awarded grants: DJM Community Outreach in Frankfort and the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative on Chicago’s South Side.
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