Amanda Turnbull – Osgoode Hall Law School

Dissertation Title

Law, Language, and Emergent Creativity: The Algorithmic Turn

Dissertation Topic

Emergent Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are now able to emulate the creative process itself by writing books that qualify for literary awards, composing music, and painting portraits that sell on the world auction stage. This body of technology, which I refer to as emergent creativity, provokes an entirely new way of understanding the creative arts, which were once exclusively the domain of human beings. And leaves us wondering if we are shifting the powers of moral and social norm-setting previously held by authors, artists and musicians into the hands of AI? My doctoral research investigates how emergent creativity challenges our current understanding of law and its application, and seeks to highlight gateways to new understandings of the relationship between humans and emergent creativity and points of control.

Education

MA (English), - Carleton University

BA (English) - University of Ottawa

ARCT (Performance) - Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto

Dip. AA with honours (Music) - Mohawk College

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Department of Humanities, York University (2019 – present)

Directed Research Supervisor (philosophy of law, law and literature), Faculty of Law, uOttawa (2016-18)

Instructor, Carleton University/Ottawa-Carleton District Board of Education, May 2006

Music teacher (Suzuki flute, band director, children's programs) 1991-2005

Professional Experience

Research Assistant, Osgoode Hall Law School (2020)

Assistant Dean / Doyenne adjointe, JD Program, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa (2011-18)

Director / Directrice, Communications & Development, JD Program, uOttawa (2010-11)

Manager / Gestionnaire, Communications & Marketing, JD Program, uOttawa (2008-10)

Communications Officer / Agente de communication, Common Law & Civil Law programs, uOttawa (2006-08)

Awards

Harley D. Hallet Graduate Scholarship
York University Graduate Fellowship

Publications

Turnbull, A (May 2020). “The Future of Work: Integrating Bots and Humans in the Workforce,” (online), Canadian Law of Work Forum.
Turnbull, A (May 2020). “How Coronavirus set the Stage for a Techno-Future with Robots and AI,” The Conversation (online).
Turnbull, A (Jan. 2020). “The Price of A.I. Art: Has the Bubble Burst?” The Conversation (online). Translated in Newsweek Japan (print).
Turnbull, A (2018). “Teaching Chatbots How to Do the Right Thing,” The Conversation (online). Reprinted in National Post (online), March 29, 2018.
Turnbull, A (2007-10). "Common Law Bulletin," Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Editor-in-Chief.
Kerr, Ian et al (2009). Lessons From the Identity Trail: Anonymity, Privacy and Identity in a Networked Society (Oxford University Press), in-house copy editor

Presentation

Turnbull, A (Sept. 2020). “Fast-Tracking Our Techno-Future: The Unanticipated Effect of COVID- 19.” Online lecture, Scholars’ Hub @Home, York University.
Turnbull, A (2019). "How to Respond to Disclosures of Sexual Violence." Presentation on International Women’s Day for Natalie Des Rosiers MPP Ottawa–Vanier.
Turnbull, A (2016). “A Muse of Accountability: Canadian Henry V.” Paper presented at the Shakespeare + Canada Symposium, Ottawa, ON.
Turnbull, A (2015). “Challenges Posed by the Implementation of Canada’s National Requirement.” Paper presented at the International Legal Education Abroad Conference, Washington, DC.