Panel - The impact of Artificial Intelligence on the livelihood of writers and the demise of imagination

The spread of AI is of concern in many areas of creativity and writing is one of them. This panel discussion will explore the challenges ahead and how writers might navigate this path.

Dr Declan Humphreys is a Lecturer in Cybersecurity and Ethics at the University of the Sunshine Coast. His research background is in the philosophy of technology, currently focussing on how artificial intelligence (AI) affects our ethics, culture, and society today and what it means for our future. He has written and presented on topics such as ethical us of AI in business, ethics of pricing algorithms and most recently on political bias and the new AI culture war. He also sits on the board of the IEEE’s Society on Social Implications of Technology, writes a blog on AI ethics, and is a winner of the 2025 ABC TOP 5 Humanities media residency. 

Jemma Pollari is an author writing speculative fiction to explore what it means to be human. She holds a Ba.Sci.Comm. (Hons), Grad.Dip.Ed. and M.Ed., co-authored Code Bravo, a mathematical adventure novel in the MathThrills suite for high school students, and is Chair of the Queensland Writers Centre. Jemma has been published in WQ, The Writing Cooperative and beyond, shortlisted for the Albedo One Aeon Award, and has fiction accepted for publication in AntipodeanSF and Jacaranda Journal for mid-2025. She writes and edits Spec. Fic. Society. Jemma can be found online at jemmapollari.com, and as @jemmapollari on social media.

Jack Carty is an Australian children’s author and musician who creates heartfelt picture books, often with his illustrator wife, Natasha. Their debut, “Time to Rest” (Scholastic, Feb ‘24), and their second book together, “The Love We Share” (Scholastic, March ‘24), have both been translated and released in multiple languages around the world. Their recently-released third book, “The Two-Nicorn” (Scholastic, April 2025), is a joyful story about embracing what makes us unique. Inspired by their two young children, Jack writes with a warmth and lyricism that echos his other life as an award winning songwriter and musician. With 2 more books set for release in the coming year, Jack’s stories continue to delight young readers and families across Australia and the world.

Discover more about the Eumundi Writers Festival here: https://eumundiwritersfestival.com.au/