Saturday Arts and Coding Club
We’re excited to share our new presentation, “Introducing GPTs: Creativity, Community, and AI,” which explores how artificial intelligence—specifically GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers)—can support creative growth, collaboration, and capacity building in small and northern communities. Developed with support from the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) Creative Entrepreneurship Program, and Global Dignity Canada, this project highlights how technology can empower artists, educators, and community organizers to imagine new possibilities for creation and connection.
The presentation introduces audiences to what GPTs are and how they work—demystifying terms like “language models,” “APIs,” and “agents” through clear visuals and examples. But more importantly, it shows how these tools can be harnessed creatively: to write, design, brainstorm, teach, and tell stories in ways that amplify human expression rather than replace it. By integrating AI into creative practice, communities can access new pathways for storytelling, entrepreneurship, and inclusion, especially in regions where traditional resources may be limited.
Our team has been learning hands-on through the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, experimenting with APIs, building custom chatbots and creative agents, and exploring how these systems can be used responsibly to strengthen local creative economies. For artists and collectives working in northern or rural areas, this technology offers opportunities to share work globally, collaborate across distances, and access tools that can reduce barriers to creative production.
About the Author
