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Dozens of people filled Regina’s Fresh and Sweet cafe on Saturday to paint, collage and craft their concerns about artificial intelligence by making zines — a type of self-published small booklet, typically created by hand. Â
The event was organized by InspirED Saskatchewan, a student-led nonprofit created by University of Regina students.Â
“There’s a lot of outrage over the proposed AI data centre. So our plan here today was: combat that with art,” said Amber Fink, one of the organizers with InspirED Saskatchewan.Â
Bell Canada said last week it plans to start construction on a 300 MW facility in the rural municipality of Sherwood, just south of Regina, this spring.Â
The company said it would be the largest AI data centre in Canada and will generate about $12 billion for the province’s economy.Â
But the project is sparking widespread concerns about lack of consultations and possible environmental issues, with an online petition against the project gaining over 10,000 signatures.Â
Fink said given the implications artificial intelligence has for art, it was important to create a community space to collaborate and celebrate creativity.Â
“There’s so much beauty in human connection and AI a lot of times, it plagiarizes artists’ work, so it’s not something I stand for,” Fink said. Â
Several local visual artists were on hand to help with the zine production and local musicians provided the event’s soundtrack. Fink said the plan was for the zines to be sold and then all proceeds would go to artists.Â
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As online petitions against a planned AI data centre near Regina gain signatures, some local residents decided to take their concerns offline and into the real world through art. Organizers say the goal was to foster real-world connection and explore practical ways to limit the use of AI.
Another member of InspirED Saskatchewan, Lily Evanochko, said the day was an opportunity for people to have a creative outlet for their feelings while helping the community learn more about the planned AI data centre.Â
Information sheets on AI and the planned data centre were available for participants to use.Â
“I’ve learned a lot about it today by reading some of the zines that people have made before this,” Evanochko said.Â
She said the lack of community consultation for the AI data centre has been an issue.Â
“I see it as more of an extractive tool rather than something that would help us,” Evanochko said.Â
“I think the people that live here don’t exactly know what it’s going to help bring us,” she said.
Organizers say the event was intended to combat the outrage against a planned AI data centre near Regina with art and community. (Katie Swyers/CBC News )
Artist Mackenzy Vida is also concerned by the project and the lack of transparency.Â
“There’s been no public conversation whatsoever,” she said.Â
“I don’t think this is what will benefit our community when we’re facing issues like homelessness downtown and the expense of groceries,” Vida said.Â
Environmental concernsÂ
Regina resident Annabel Townsend said there is no way to responsibly use generative AI, given it is powered by stolen data.Â
She’s against AI in general, but also has environmental concerns about the upcoming data centre.Â
“Regina is the stupidest place they could possibly put it,” she said.Â
“We’re still using coal powered electricity for most of the time and that is going to take an enormous amount of energy to keep it running. And we also have no natural water source.”Â
Townsend said the only people she’s encountered who support the project are the ones set to profit from it.Â
“I can’t imagine that I’m particularly alone in not wanting this,” she said.Â