In the arts space, there has been varying responses to the potential uses and harms of facial recognition. On the positive end, artists such as Peter Shoukry have embraced how this technology can amplify an audience’s experience through interactivity with a piece. Beyond the creation of art, facial recognition has been used to aid in research. Yet, despite these projects that embrace facial recognition technology, there has been recognizable consumer backlash due to privacy worries.
Planning Our Equitable Digital Future
2020 has been and will continue to be notable for all but especially artists and arts institutions. Globally we are facing the uncomfortable realities of a pandemic that has brought the arts industries to their knees, economically, particularly the performing arts. Demands for racial and social justice come with a reckoning for many arts institutions — for their own participation in the industrial model that creates inequity in hiring, programming, training, even foundation giving.
As a researcher, artist, academic and former managing director, I hope that 2020 is a year that will offering us, as an industry, a pause to rethink how to do our artistic work in more equitable, inclusive and relevant ways. To create clarity as we re-think institutional systems , it is important to turn to data about our own institutions as well as our audiences in order to become the relevant and vibrant institutions that all communities deserve. In this short article, I will connect information from the recent national survey by LaPlaca Cohen and Slover Linett, “Culture and Community in a Time of Crisis” and emerging best business practices heralded by McKinsey and Co. and other thought leaders in the business field.
5G Adoption at Your Arts Organization: Benefits and Considerations
The pandemic has advanced the discussion for a faster expansion of 5G, a new generation of the wireless network that is believed to revolutionize industries and facilitate the new remote work environment. What can the art world expect to gain from adopting this new generation of wireless network and how can it be most efficiently utilized to support the goals of each individual and organization? This research examines the potential implications and caveats of 5G adoption in the arts and cultural industry.
AI-assisted and AI-powered Art: Different Challenges for Digital Preservation
Artists are among the many professions that are embracing artificial intelligence. AI is beginning to undertake tedious repetitive work, without replacing human’s creativity. Recently, the art market has displayed an interest in purchasing AI art. Christies sold Edmond de Belamy, an algorithm-generated painting, and Sotheby’s sold Memories of Passersby I, an AI video installation, at $432,500 and $51,012, respectively. With a rapidly increasing variety of AI art being created and transacted, the need to preserve such art in differentiated ways is emerging.
Twitch: Fundraising Platform and Streaming Service
Whether you have heard of the social gaming platform called Twitch or not, it is definitely something to keep on your radar for potential uses for fundraising and audience engagement. Founded in 2011, Twitch began its business focusing on video gaming, however in 2015 it added a creative channel where “streamers” could specify their artistic content. Recently, Twitch has been highlighted as a premiere location for raising significant funds from dedicated fans who are moved by a cause. In fact, last year Twitch raised $75 million for 100 different charities. With the advent of creative content streams, it seems unusual that the nonprofit arts sector is not engaging with current and future audiences and donors on the site.
Deepfake Technology in the Entertainment industry: Potential Limitations and Protections
Deepfake is a merge between 2 terms which are Deep Learning and Fake. It is a technology that includes teaching software to memorize faces, expressions, movements and even voices of a person so that the machine can later project that information onto another person. Despite its common inappropriate use, Deepfake technology can surely benefit the entertainment industry, specifically film production. This comes with further consequences to be considered by various parties.
Practical Uses of AR in Arts and Culture
Since its first iteration, Augmented Reality (AR) has been disrupting education, health, entertainment, and many other fields. By enhancing the senses and abilities it has delighted but also aided in solving difficult problems. In arts and culture, AR has transformed static museum displays and provided special effects for stage productions. But the use of AR hasn’t gone much beyond support in storytelling, and the adoption of such a versatile technology as a tool in the production processes has been tentatively explored.
What Makes Facial Recognition Controversial?
Facial recognition technology is in a predicament, and has actually been there for quite a while. What did it experience to become the center of the controversy and how does such controversy influence the art industry? Controversial discussion never stops a new technology, and instead, it creates a buffer to help the aggressive technology to slow a bit. With this opportunity, arts managers and other stakeholders may be able to check if they are on the right track dealing with the technology and consider whether they need to reshape it to meet future challenges.
VR, Simulcast & Growing Theatre Audiences: Connecting with Remote Theater Audiences through 360-degree Simulcast
Technologically enhanced theatre experiences can extend beyond the use of cutting edge performance light and sound tech. Today’s technology allows theaters to reach audiences outside of their physical space through livestreaming performances in Virtual Reality (VR) with VR being defined as an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (such as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one's actions partially determine what happens in the environment. Furthermore, livestreaming, defined as when a person or organization “transmit[s] or receive live video and audio coverage of (an event) over the Internet” is becoming a routine part of standard social network experience. Livestreaming through VR, while still a relatively new concept, may allow the virtual audience watching the livestream to feel much more present at the performance than ever before and therefore a theater’s potential audience engagement opportunities.
Artifical Intelligence and Audience Engagement for the Performing Arts
As time goes on, it’s clear that artificial intelligence will continue to find its place in the arts. Using AI to build connections with audiences, in particular, is an interesting and developing sector of arts and technology. The performing arts are primed for a technology jumpstart and a reassessment of audience engagement tactics. Now, more than ever, the opportunities for the integration of artificial intelligence and audience engagement in the performing arts are ripe for exploration.