Organizer Information
Somerset House Studios is a renowned experimental workspace in London, home to a community of over 70 artists, makers, and thinkers. It supports artists pushing the boundaries of art and technology through residencies and cross-disciplinary projects. This specific program is a joint initiative with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO is the lead global agency for the ethics of artificial intelligence, having established the first global normative framework (the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence) adopted by 193 Member States.
Title & Description
UNESCO AI Ethics Remote Residency
This residency commissions three international artists to develop new, original online works that critically engage with the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The program focuses on "intercultural perspectives"—encouraging artists to look beyond Western-centric views and explore how AI affects human rights, agency, and governance in different cultural contexts. Selected artists will spend three months in a research and development phase, receiving mentorship from both the Somerset House artist community and UNESCO’s network of AI ethics experts. The residency culminates in the presentation of the works on Channel, Somerset House’s curated online platform.
Categories
- Digital & New Media Art: Specifically, works designed for online environments.
- Interdisciplinary: Artworks intersecting with Technology, Philosophy, Sociology, and Policy.
- Mediums: Open to any discipline (video, 3D, sound, code-based art, etc.) as long as the final outcome is an online experience.
Eligibility
- International Artists: Must be based outside of the UK.
- Career Level: Specifically for mid-career artists (defined as having 6+ years of professional experience in producing and presenting work).
- Perspective: Particularly welcomes artists from non-Western backgrounds or those bringing a unique cultural lens to AI themes.
- Age: Must be 18 years or older.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Artist Fee: £7,500 (inclusive of VAT/local taxes).
- Production Budget: £7,500 (inclusive of VAT/local taxes).
- Mentorship: Direct access to Somerset House Studios artists and UNESCO’s Global Expert Network on AI Ethics.
- Global Exposure: Participation in UNESCO’s Global Forum on the Ethics of AI (June 2026), with travel and accommodation costs covered by the program.
- Exhibition: Final works presented on Somerset House’s "Channel" platform in late 2026.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist Bio & Practice: Summary of career and how your work relates to the residency themes (Max 150-250 words).
- Portfolio: Links to 3 relevant past projects.
- Residency Proposal: Outline of the work you intend to develop (Max 300 words).
- Critical Engagement Statement: How your idea engages with intercultural AI ethics (Max 250 words).
- Impact Statement: How this residency will change your practice (Max 150 words).
- Budget & Timeline: A rough breakdown of production costs and delivery steps.
- Note: Applications can be submitted in written, audio, or video formats.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Notification Date: February 2026
- Remote R&D Residency: April – June 2026
- UNESCO Global Forum: June 2026 (Travel dates TBC)
- Production Period: July – December 2026
- Launch Date: December 2026
Location
Online/ United Kingdom
Additional Details
A key component of this residency is the transition from "Research" to "Policy Engagement." Unlike standard residencies, artists here are expected to share their work-in-progress with international policymakers at the UNESCO Forum, directly influencing the global conversation on how AI should be governed.