AICI brings together researchers, educators, technologists and creative professionals across Europe to explore how AI can enhance, rather than replace, creative practice.
Professor of Creative and Entertainment Games at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas)
My professorship and team work on topics related to the content, creation, and cultural context of artistic and commercial video games. Within this broad range, we typically address topics related to narrative, intersectional themes (including accessibility, gender, and more), user interface, and how game tech contributes to other industries, such as with game engines driving virtual production filmmaking.
In the AICI project, my team is looking at the intersection between AI and storytelling tools, specifically at the storyboarding stage. There are many challenges, both technical and ethical, to consider when attempting to make generative AI a responsible tool in assisting (not replacing) storyboard artists. We’re primarily diving into the technical side, but always driven by ethical considerations, such as sourcing of training data with respect for copyright and energy usage.
As a writer across several forms of media, I’m both excited and cautious about generative AI. Finding ways that it can serve storytelling industries and artists could improve the on ramp for new creators and optimize the workflow for existing creatives. There are numerous limitations to generative AI, and explicitly confronting these is a fascinating challenge. As with all research, the driving question is ‘is this even possible at the moment?’, and I’m very curious to see the results from the approach we’re taking.
Graduate of the ArtFX school
Graduate of the ArtFX school, Nicolas Counil has made Unreal Engine his tool of choice. A lover of new technologies, his already rich career path has led him to work on projects ranging from video games to series and virtual production.
He has worked on Constellaiton on Apple TV+ and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope for Ubisoft and Fortnite for Epic Games.
Nicolas now works freelance, dividing his time between production and teaching, currently at ArtFX and main developer at Maboroshi Artworks.
As an independent game developer in AICI project, leveraging generative AI has become an essential aspect of my workflow, allowing me to push creative boundaries, optimize development processes. Generative AI accelerates the prototyping phase of development. I can create concept art by transforming simple sketches into polished visuals, refine character designs and iterate quickly based on AI-generated suggestions.
While generative AI has significantly enhanced my capabilities, it also comes with challenges. Ethical considerations like ensuring the originality regarding art and copyright of AI-generated content and avoiding unintentional biases in AI-driven narratives are critical. I actively work to strike a balance between leveraging AI’s potential and maintaining creative integrity.
Lecturer and researcher at Department of Graphical Systems Faculty of Fundamental Sciences at VILNIUS TECH
Dr Tomas Mitkus is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Graphical Systems Faculty of Fundamental Sciences at VILNIUS TECH and a practitioner in film, video games and comic book industries. He has published over 20 academic papers in animation, cinema, and comics media, as well as four textbooks and one monography. Tomas’ research focuses on 2D aesthetics in adult animation segments. Tomas’ role in this project is to conduct empirical research in order to understand how generative AI in the near future will change education and work in creative fields.
Research Coordinator & Senior Researcher at Academy of AI, Games, and Media (AGM), Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas).
Tuki specialises in coordinating cross-disciplinary teams to explore cutting-edge fields such as the intersection of creative video games and culture, AI-driven research processes, XR technologies, and human-computer interaction (HCI). With a solid background in game design, project management, and ResearchOps, she bridges academic rigor with practical game development expertise.
She also actively contributes to the Master’s in Game Technology program, integrating Generative AI (GenAI) as a powerful tool in research practices. As a core member of the AI Pioneers Team at BUas, Tuki provides expert guidance on emerging AI advancements, ensuring institutional strategies remain both current and future-oriented.
As the R&D Coordinator for the AI-Creative Industry (AICI) project, Tuki drives research aimed at discovering new ways AI can empower, facilitate, and make creative processes more efficient. Her focus lies on assisting creative teams whose innovative ambitions often face budgetary and logistical constraints. By developing technical solutions that enhance creative workflows without overshadowing or replacing human creativity, she aims to make high-quality production more accessible and collaborative.
Tuki is particularly interested in how AI can support and elevate creative work processes, ensuring technology acts as a true enabler rather than a limitation.
Outside the lab and classroom, she enjoys exploring psychological horror games in VR, analysing their design and obsessively battling monsters in ‘Monster Hunter World’.
Researcher in the field of immersive storytelling and new technologies at the animation workshop/ VIA university college
Uri’s interest in AI lies in the balance between creativity and efficiency. As the animation industry embraces generative technologies to enhance efficiency, I question whether we are truly improving our craft—or simply relying on AI as a crutch. Does AI expand our creative potential, or does it diminish it? While my research is deeply hands-on and embedded in AI, my focus extends to the ethical and moral implications of its use.
He is particularly committed to exploring how we should approach AI education and what we ought to teach in this evolving field.
Uri has been working with his partner Michelle as a duo for 20 years. Their work has expanded beyond the traditional: their art straddles experimental genres and unfamiliar mediums, fusing handmade crafted images and new technologies into contemporary experiences. Frequently characterized by a poetic sensibility and fragmented narratives – exploring past and present, fact and fiction. They enjoy collaborative projects and experimentation across disciplines.
Both are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and and the Académie des César. They have been honored with the Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work at the 77th La Biennale di Venezia and Best Immersive XR at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.
AI in the Creative Industries (AICI) is an Erasmus+ Innovation Alliance dedicated to understanding how generative and transformative AI are reshaping Europe’s Creative Digital Industry. Our goal is to identify the emerging opportunities, challenges and skill gaps created by rapid technological change and to support educational institutions, training ecosystems and industry stakeholders in navigating this shift.
We adopt an ethical, legal and human-centred approach to AI integration. By building trust, transparency and shared knowledge, we aim to help Europe’s creative sector adopt new technologies responsibly, confidently and sustainably.
Research
We generate continuous, forward-looking research to understand generative AI, its ethical and legal implications and its integration into creative industry workflows, educational models and training systems.
Hands-on Learning
We design and deliver workshops, labs and training experiences for educators and students across creative disciplines, focusing on practical use of generative and transformative AI.
Tool Development
We are building a Generative AI Storyboard Tool that aligns with real production needs and integrates seamlessly into existing creative workflows, enabling creators to visualise ideas with greater speed and flexibility.
Knowledge Sharing
We actively disseminate insights, best practices and case studies through events, publications, talks and digital channels, ensuring our findings reach the wider creative ecosystem.
We want to hear from you!