Tech Meets Tradition: AI and the Art of Jewellery
Tech Meets Tradition: AI and the Art of Jewellery
13 November 2024
The Melting Pot, Edinburgh
Tech Meets Tradition: The Jewellery Collective to host knowledge-sharing and networking event exploring the future of AI in the jewellery industry
The Jewellery Collective – a community-driven members’ association founded on a vision of breaking down barriers, fostering trust and encouraging new connections – has announced an upcoming panel talk and networking event in Edinburgh called Tech Meets Tradition: AI and the Art of Jewellery.
Hosted by co-working and event space The Melting Pot, this exciting event is designed to invite fresh perspectives into jewellery conversations. A curated panel of industry experts whose day-to-day practices straddle the worlds of AI and jewellery will discuss the transformative impact of AI and Augmented Reality (AR) on the ancient arts of jewellery design, manufacture and storytelling.
Chairing the panel is Lynne Craig, Co-Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Edinburgh’s (UoE) Edinburgh Futures Institute, and founder and academic specialising in Computational Adornment. Drawing on her experience of pioneering AR in the jewellery industry, she’ll be joined by tech-driven jewellery designer and craftswoman Maeve Gillies, UoE Chancellor’s Fellow in Design Informatics Caterina Moruzzi PhD, and David Wood, Co-Founder of AI-driven luxury retail service Moonsift.
Together they’ll discuss the novel opportunities available to jewellery designers, makers and retailers - as well as some of the doubts surrounding these innovations. To explore both sides of the argument, they’ll be answering questions on the importance of maintaining cultural heritage and upholding traditional tools and techniques. Audience members are invited to seek their own answer to the question: Are we losing touch with the romance of jewellery, or is it time to stop fearing the new?
What’s more, this inspiring knowledge-sharing event will also involve a mixer session; an opportunity for attendees to exchange their findings and forge meaningful new connections with fellow jewellery, design and tech enthusiasts at the intersection of their worlds.
“I’m looking forward to discussing how an ancient craft like jewellery can embrace cutting-edge technologies while preserving its cultural and artistic significance,” says speaker Caterina Moruzzi. “The intersection of tradition and innovation raises important questions about craftsmanship in the digital age. What does it mean, on an emotional and intellectual level, to connect with a piece of jewellery, knowing its origins?”
Thanks to a grant from the Goldsmiths’ Centre, this event is one of a number of exciting activities in The Jewellery Collective’s autumn programme.
The emergence of the programme marks one year since The Jewellery Collective’s inaugural event in September 2023; a forum that welcomed hundreds of attendees and featured a keynote speech from Stephen Webster MBE.
This next event follows a sold-out panel talk and networking in partnership with the Hatton Garden Business Improvement District (BID) and London Design Festival in September.
“These curated but laid-back events are designed to challenge convention and offer safe and supportive spaces for people to learn from one another and form catalytic relationships. They platform fresh voices, new perspectives and exciting collaborations,” explains Community Manager Ruby McGonigle.
“We believe that by sharing knowledge and breaking down the barriers of secrecy, we can make the jewellery industry stronger and more sustainable,” says founder Kassandra Gordon.
The Jewellery Collective is open to all jewellery and fashion professionals, from those just starting out to those who have been involved in the industries for many years. To learn more about The Jewellery Collective, please visit www.thejewellerycollective.com.
