Data, Digital Futures
Staff Researcher
Digital Colonialism in the Global Sphere

Colonialism has consistently been a force in the global purview, including the technological space. In recent years, the expansion of artificial intelligence has vastly increased corporations’ global influence. As the world’s technologies continue to advance and innovate, individuals must keep a watchful eye on the ways in which digital colonialism might repeat harmful practices from the past.

Digital Colonialism in the Global Sphere
entertainment, Film
Staff Researcher
Part I: Playing the Game: The Convergence of ...

Due to the popularity and booming business of video games, Hollywood studios have capitalized on popular game titles by developing new content based off of their intellectual property (IP). This study sets out to better understand video game IP’s impact on film and television markets and what specific elements might impact an adaptation’s success. 

Part I: Playing the Game: The Convergence of Video
Artificial Intelligence, Conferences, museums
Brett Crawford
Future of Museums Summit 2024 Key Takeaways

Sustainability and AI were at the forefront this year at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Future of Museums Summit. What role will museums play in creating climate-friendly communities? And how can AI be used to maximize efficiency, increase accessibility, and deepen engagement? Read key conference takeaways from Xueer Ho and Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford.

Future of Museums Summit 2024 Key Takeaways
Analytics, Data, Management
Ian Hawthorne
Data Cultures Part II: Breaking Free from the ...

An overemphasis on data-driven work within the nonprofit sector has been shown to result in cycles of disempowerment, driven by third-party data demands of funding bodies.. This compounds due to the many market orientations nonprofits need to adopt, particularly prevalent among the arts. A key to navigating these markets and funder requirements lies in identifying a specific data culture best fit for your organization and investing in resources and training in order to achieve that framework sustainably.

Data Cultures Part II: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Disempowerment
Accessibility, Artificial Intelligence, museums
Staff Researcher
Envisioning the Future of Museum Accessibility ...

With AI’s ability to automatically produce content and process complicated datasets with high accuracy, museums worldwide are exploring ways in which this innovative technology can help them better achieve their missions and advance accessibility efforts. Through case studies, learn about three applications of this technology: content digitalization, language accessibility, and visual description.

Envisioning the Future of Museum Accessibility Through Artificial Intelligence

Laws & Legal

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The Importance of Nonprofits' Prioritization of Patron Privacy

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The Importance of Nonprofits' Prioritization of Patron Privacy

In 2021, TikTok updated its privacy policy which allowed it to collect biometric data on its users, including faceprints and voiceprints. Rather than explicitly informing its users about this change, the app vaguely communicated that they were issuing a “privacy update.” Once people found out what the update entailed, concern rightfully grew. This type of data collection indicates a significant shift from companies collecting behavioral data on their consumers to something much more invasive and without true consent. Only 36% of Americans trust tech companies using facial recognition technology. In general, public trust in Big Tech has been steadily falling in the United States. Regardless, however, most people still click “accept” to the Terms & Conditions on any website without actually knowing what is being agreed to, indicating a disconnect between what US citizens expect from businesses and what is actually being conducted. With a lack of national protection, nonprofit organizations must assume responsibility in protecting personal consumer data and using it ethically.

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Three Platforms of Value for Independent Artists

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Three Platforms of Value for Independent Artists

Indie artists have been traditionally excluded from major labels due to their obscurity and improbability of generating revenue, causing difficulty in creating a career. Nowadays, however, independent artists have more power and capacity to survive, even thrive, without the help of a major label. The advent of the internet, streaming, and social media, as well as legislation regulating for rights of independent recording artists, have pivoted the music industry in the 21st century.

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Music Piracy Through NFTs: Copyright Infringement in the Age of Blockchain

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Music Piracy Through NFTs: Copyright Infringement in the Age of Blockchain

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have gained massive popularity in recent years, touching industries from fashion to video games. NFTs occupy a unique space under copyright law, but are subject to the basic rules other art forms are. The law protecting digital assets, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), was passed in 1998 before NFTs were prevalent. The DMCA allows any artist to request a work be taken down if it is something they have ownership over and did not authorize its publication. This extends to artists with any ownership stake, whether they are a singer-songwriter with sole ownership over a song, or a whole team of writers and producers. While NFTs have the potential to benefit musicians, the music industry has fallen victim to the copyright issues NFTs present. Music industry professionals should understand the vulnerability of their work and consider monitoring NFT marketplaces to get ahead of being victims of copyright infringement.

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Crypto: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

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Crypto: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

In recent years, the advancement of cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies has led to increased exploitation from criminals. From “pump and dump” scams to cybercrimes, the rapid rise of digital assets has raised questions about their exploitation by criminals to launder money and commit fraud in untraceable and anonymous ways. Lawmakers and regulators have been trying to figure out ways to combat the threats that the growing sector imposes. On February 17, 2022, the Department of Justice announced its new National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) appointing Eun Young Choi as director. Many argue that the NCET and the FBI’s Virtual Asset Exploitation Unit that launched on February 18, 2022 signals more crackdowns on the crypto industry. As the possibility of regulations looms, what are some of the effects it may bring to the crypto and NFT markets? This article explores what some may look like.

Why Arts Nonprofits Should Care about Big Tech Lawsuits

Why Arts Nonprofits Should Care about Big Tech Lawsuits

Antitrust lawsuits in the United States had its historical beginnings with the Carnegie Steel and Standard Oil monopolies. The early 20th century was a time of trust-busting and a battle of government regulation of these industries, which were seemingly impossible to control due to their power through insurmountable wealth and market domination. Then, the 70s and 80s saw the trust busting of the Bell System in the sector of telephones and communication. Now, almost exactly a century after the passing of the antitrust laws and almost a half-century after the most recent conglomerate disaggregation, monopolies adjacent to the industry of telephone and communications run rampant in the United States – and the government is again facing difficulty in quelling their expansive power. This article will analyze three ongoing and one recently closed antitrust cases against Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and Meta, and suggest effects that the rulings may have on how the nonprofit industry functions.

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NFT Showdown: Miramax vs. Tarantino

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NFT Showdown: Miramax vs. Tarantino

There is ongoing legal debate around Quentin Tarantino's latest project, an exclusive behind-the-scenes NFT collection based on the 1994 Miramax blockbuster hit "Pulp Fiction," published in December 2021 on Opensea by SCRT Labs. A California lawsuit will determine whether Tarantino's plan is too cavalier, and whether Miramax should receive a cut of the sale. Today’s NFT world is governed by crude and antiquated laws surrounding copyright and trademark ownership. Hopefully this lawsuit establishes new legal boundaries and guidelines for future cases. In the meantime, NFT collectors should stay wary of ambiguous claims and unclear terms.

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NFTs Legal Considerations and Implications

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NFTs Legal Considerations and Implications

In early 2021, the $69M sale of Everydays – The First 100 days, by Beeple, sprung NFTs from a niche but growing section of the digital art world into the mainstream public consciousness. Google searches for NFTs skyrocketed. Saturday Night Live spoofed the rapid sector growth with a parody of Emenim’s “Without Me” entitled “What the Hell’s an NFT.” A 10 second clip of the sketch was subsequently turned into an NFT which sold for $365,000. As pop culture awoke to and embraced this facet of the digital art world, so too has the urgency for artists, museums, and collectors to understand the rapidly evolving legal considerations within the NFT space.

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Digital Privacy and Subversive Art

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Digital Privacy and Subversive Art

Having a better understanding of domestic legislation regarding digital privacy, as well as the international landscape as it pertains to these issues, can help in managing art that could be characterized as “seditious” or “radical.” It is important to note that surveillance, from both private and governmental entities, is on the rise as are the possibilities of censorship or unconstitutional oversight.