Diane Laidlaw is a British AI filmmaker, creative technologist, and educator whose work bridges storytelling, emerging technology, and cultural expression. Based in the UK, she creates visually striking, emotionally resonant films that explore how art evolves in the age of algorithms. Since 2023, she has taught Midjourney and now leads an online AI filmmaking programme, mentoring a new generation of creators.
Her work gained international attention in 2024, attracting interest from both film and music industry leaders. Known for a distinctive visual language that weaves Black culture across the diaspora and eras, her projects include Give It to Me, a Blaxploitation-inspired music video; Warm Coat, a contemporary exploration of codependency screened at Pinewood Studios; and The Last, an Afro-futurist documentary examining technology’s impact on humanity.
In late 2024, Laidlaw expanded into video direction, leading What Do I Know with Artcha and Ty, which won first place at Project Odyssey 2025, a leading global AI film competition. Her work Afro Futcha has also received award nominations at Escape.AI and the Texas AI Film Festival, earning recognition across the United States, Korea, Russia, Australia, and the UK.
Laidlaw has been featured on the front page of Digital Frontier Magazine and was invited to present at TED AI Vienna, where she delivered The Future of Creativity: An Intimate AI Movie Screening and Dialogue. She has also appeared on the BBC and the Evening Standard podcast, contributing to discussions on AI’s growing influence within the creative industries and advocating for its role in expanding access to filmmaking.
Alongside her creative practice, she leads international workshops, collaborating with institutions such as Berghs School of Communication in Sweden and Ultra Education in London to teach AI-driven storytelling. She is also the founder of Wilder Black, an initiative dedicated to developing practical books and guides for individuals with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.
