Sixteenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how artificial intelligence can help to promote Asian Canadian Arts, especially through the IBM Watson Platform. Despite the huge resources contributed to Contemporary Asian Canadian Arts, artists and their works still need promotion, especially to people beyond the connoisseur of ethic art. Seldom are these artworks on display in major, “mainstream” art galleries, and artists face problems when struggling to gain recognition. The Government of Canada has policies in place addressing multiculturalism and diversity, but how are these translated into action. Different kinds of artists with different backgrounds may need different strategies. Such backgrounds include country of origin, ethnicity, gender, age and languages. This paper explores whether the rise of digital infrastructure, especially artificial intelligence, helps Asian Canadian artists gain recognition, reach their potential spectators, and, subsequently, to help them to interpret the artworks. Asian Canadian arts here is taken in the broad sense, covering literature, visual art, film and video, music and the performing arts, and photography. In particular, I explore how the functionalities on IBM Watson can contribute to Asian Canadian arts. Instead of featuring the artists in an ad hoc manner on websites, can the powerful artificial intelligence functionalities offer solutions that can work across digital platforms - and on mobile devices? How can these inform marketing strategies, and may eventually contribute to the formulation of digital strategies and policies?