The Fog of Truth - AI and Dox

At its core, the documentary form is an art that seeks truth. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the question of truth becomes ever more complex. Can generative AI technology help create deeper, more truthful art, or will it erode the trust of our (already dwindling) audience? We can no longer ignore it – this became clear when the American Archival Producers Alliance (APA) issued a set of guidelines for the film community regarding the use of AI technology in documentary content creation. Their aim? To “reaffirm the journalistic values that the documentary community has long upheld.”

This segment of the ZagrebDox PRO program, dedicated to artificial intelligence, the opportunities it offers, and the ethical aspects we cannot overlook, will open crucial discussions for both participants and the wider public. How can we use generative technologies capable of creating convincing—but potentially inaccurate—images, sounds, or archival materials without compromising audience trust? How do we safeguard the integrity of our documentary stories?

This program will explore AI’s creative potential, as well as the ethical guidelines that should shape its use in documentary production. Participants will reflect on (and perhaps even define) the principles that ensure content transparency and accountability – examining where AI can enhance storytelling and where it risks violating fundamental journalistic and documentarian principles and values.

This ZagrebDox PRO segment will be essential for all those creating documentary content in the digital era—but just as invaluable for those who watch it.

The program was launched at the initiative of Nenad Puhovski, the artistic director of ZagrebDox. The author of the concept is Morana Ikić Komljenović, and a masterclass with Artefacto is carried out under the initiative Travelling Docs in collaboration with the Creative Europe MEDIA Desks in Belgium (Wallonia Brussels), Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, NRW), Greece, Hungary,  Italy (Torino), Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden, while PUBLIKUM in collaboration with the Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia.