Episode 48: Live from Arendal - New AI Genres with Zahra Rizvi, Hanna Lauvli and Jason Nelson.

Recorded live at from the AI tent at Arendal, Wednesday, 12 August 2026.

Scott Rettberg hosts a live panel from Arendalsuka featuring Center for Digital Narrative researchers Zahra Rizvi, Hanna Lauvli and Jason Nelson. The panel explores how generative AI is reshaping narrative practices, ranging from sensor-driven digital art and "AI slop" meme culture to intimate relationships with AI companions on Reddit. Together, they debate the tensions between de-skilling and democratization, the geopolitical and climate costs of big tech, and how creators are critically pushing back against algorithmic homogenization.

AI Boyfriends as New Romantic Texts – Zahra Rizvi
Algorithmic intimacy and the pursuit of romantic companionship are creating new narratives and creative possibilities. This research provides insight into the Reddit discussion forum AI Boyfriends, and the stories that emerge where romance meets AI.

Millions of data points become a story – Jason Nelson
Imagine turning tens of millions of data points into an ever-changing story. Intelligent systems can turn what was previously near impossible into new forms of digital storytelling.

The Artist’s Negotiation with AI – Hanna Lauvli
In the art world, artists express fear and doubt about the vast amounts of stolen data that AI is built on, how it will affect their job market, and the very basis of what creativity is. This research looks at how content creators and artists negotiate their own relationships with generative AI online.

References

Arendalsuka. (2025). Arendalsuka: The Annual Norwegian Political and Civic Gathering. Arendal, Norway.

https://www.arendalsuka.no/

Ghibli, S. (2025). Studio Ghibli Generative AI Trends and Meme Politics. Center for Digital Narrative / AI Stories Project.

https://www.uib.no/en/cdn/aistories

Marx, L. U., & Small File Media Festival. (2020). Deceleration, Environmental Costs, and Low-Carbon Digital Media. Small File Media Festival.

https://smallfile.ca/

NORA (Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Network). (2024). AI Tent at Arendalsuka: Public Discourse on AI and Society. NORA.

https://www.nora.ai/

Reddit Community. (2023–present). r/MyBoyfriendIsAI: Community Discussions on AI Companionship and Relationship Narrative Tropes. Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

Rizvi, Z., & AI Stories Team. (2024). European Research Council (ERC) AI Stories Project: Narrative Archetypes and LLMs. Center for Digital Narrative, University of Bergen.

https://www.uib.no/en/cdn/aistories