Embracing AI Tools in Arts and Sciences Competitions

Picture this: It’s a warm spring day at an SCA Arts and Sciences competition. Tables are lined with mind blowing entries—embroidered tunics, meticulously carved wooden spoons, and a glittering illuminated manuscript. Judges take their places and openly admire the work they’re judging. The artisan steps forward and presents their project: a beautifully rendered 15th-century miniature. It’s perfect—too perfect, perhaps. As they explain their process, they casually mention, “I used an AI tool to help with the initial design.”

The three judges fall silent for a moment. One nods thoughtfully as the others exchange uncertain glances. AI in A&S competitions is a new boundry, and we’re still working out how to operate with it.

A New Kind of Tool

Let’s step back for a moment. AI is just another tool, right? Like a sewing machine or a potter’s wheel, it helps artisans create. It can’t paint an illumination for you or weave a tapestry, but it can offer guidance. For instance, it can suggest layouts for an award scroll or generate a pattern based on medieval sources. It’s like having a virtual apprentice who knows a lot but doesn’t always get it quite right.

For many artisans, that’s where AI shines. It’s a starting point. Stuck on how to structure a piece of documentation? AI can help outline it. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of research? AI can summarize sources to point you in the right direction. Need inspiration for a heraldic beast? AI can generate ideas faster than you can say “Or, a bend sinister gules.”

But here’s the catch: a tool is only as good as its user. AI can’t replace your expertise, your creativity, or your skill. It’s not magic—it’s a chisel. What matters is how you wield it.

The Fairness Dilemma

Still, AI raises questions, especially in competitions where effort and authenticity are celebrated as much as the final result. If a project relies on AI for a key part of the process, how do we evaluate it fairly?

Consider the illuminated scroll mentioned earlier. If the entrant used AI to design the initial layout, how much credit should they receive for the artistry? What about the research they did to guide the AI’s output? The hours spent mixing pigments, gilding the page, and hand-lettering the text? Is their work any less valid because they used a modern tool to spark the idea?

These are tough questions, and there aren’t easy answers. What we can do is focus on the artisan’s role in the process. Did they guide the AI? Did they interpret its suggestions with a skilled eye? Did they bring something uniquely “them” to the final piece? That’s where the magic happens—where the past and present meet to create something extraordinary.

The Path Forward

As we grapple with AI’s place in A&S competitions, transparency is key. If you’re an artisan using AI, be open about it. Share how the tool fit into your process. Explain why you chose a specific fabric or method of construction. Did AI help you brainstorm, refine, or organize? Great—let the judges know. It’s not about confessing; it’s about sharing your journey.

And for judges? Ask questions. Get curious about how artisans are integrating AI into their work. Remember, the goal isn’t to penalize creativity but to understand and celebrate it.

Most importantly, we all need to stay flexible. SCA artisans once embraced modern pigment recreations. They also used digital sewing patterns. Likewise, we can adapt to AI. Let’s not lose sight of the tradition and craftsmanship that define our work.

What’s Next?

When you see an AI-assisted project, resist the urge to judge it too quickly—pun intended. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the story behind this piece? How did the entrant’s vision and skill shine through?

AI is just another chapter in the long history of innovation, a new way to honor old traditions. By embracing it thoughtfully, we can keep the Arts and Sciences alive and vibrant. This ensures they remain relevant for the next generation of SCAdians.

And hey all, if you want to share your thoughts, please join me. Do you have concerns about AI in the SCA? Join me at the round table discussion at Lilies War this June. Together, we can shape a future where AI is a tool, not a crutch, and creativity reigns supreme. If you possibly won’t be at Lilies please share your concepts with us in the comments below. I look forward to reading each one.