Public Policy, creative industries
Ian Hawthorne
Frameworks for Understanding Cultural Policy: ...

This article analyzes Ireland’s emerging position as a global cultural policy case study, focusing on the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) program and its place within the national framework Culture 2025. While Ireland’s consensus-driven political system, strong arts advocacy networks, and history of support for artist income have enabled an ambitious, research-oriented basic income pilot, the article highlights deeper tensions within cultural policymaking. Drawing on Stephen Hadley’s concept of “cultural policy realism,” it argues that Ireland’s policies—despite their novelty—remain rooted in traditional, instrumentalist views of culture as an economic engine and national branding tool. By contrasting democratization of culture with cultural democracy, the piece situates Ireland’s model between innovation and reversion, emphasizing the need for sustained experimentation, critical evaluation, and more genuinely democratic approaches to cultural support.

Frameworks for Understanding Cultural Policy: Lessons from the Irish Model
Gamification, Research, Artificial Intelligence
Staff Researcher
Part II - The Role of AI in Evolving Game ...

This study advances Part II by translating Scopely’s strategy into an execution plan across three tracks - NPC innovation, intelligent monetization, and ethical LiveOps - supported by new evidence from a 1,159-response consumer survey, nine expert interviews (developers, influencers, and experiential professionals), and secondary industry research. Part I established the market context for AI’s disruptive potential and identified three priorities: live operations evolution, commerce optimization, and advanced player analytics. The goal of this phase is to pinpoint the highest-leverage AI applications that deepen gameplay engagement, convert payment resistance through demonstrated value, and safeguard community trust. Accordingly, Part II outlines actionable playbooks (context-aware NPCs and adaptive narratives), platform tactics (purchase-aligned mobile personalization and cross-play integration), and operational models (behavior-based matchmaking and transparency protocols) designed to drive scalable, technology-led growth while preserving the integrity of shared human play.

Part II - The Role of AI in Evolving Game Ecosystems and Player Dynamics
Artificial Intelligence, entertainment, Research
Staff Researcher
Part I - Beyond the Screen: The Role of AI in ...

This study provides a comprehensive analysis for Scopely to enhance its position as a leader in interactive and mobile gaming, focusing on AI integration in live operations, in-game commerce, and player analytics. The research reveals the urgent need for gaming companies to navigate accelerated AI adoption and evolving player expectations for personalized experiences. The goal is to identify the most impactful AI applications over the next three years and strategies that maximize engagement and monetization while maintaining player trust. Significant to this goal is balancing innovation with ethical considerations, including data privacy and transparency, while recognizing AI's potential to enhance storytelling and create immersive experiences. Employing a mixed-methods approach with industry interviews, a survey of over 1,000 U.S. gamers, and secondary research, Part I establishes the foundation for understanding AI's transformative impact - setting the stage for Part II's empirical findings and strategic recommendations.

Part I - Beyond the Screen: The Role of AI in Evolving Game Ecosystems and Player Dynamics
News & Announcements, museums
Hales Wilson
Byte-Sized Culture: The Art of Stealing

A daylight robbery at the Musée du Louvre in mid-October resulted in the theft of eight priceless pieces from the French Crown Jewels housed in the Galerie d’Apollon. The incident now serves as an in-depth analysis for arts leaders globally to confront not only external threats, like highly organized professional thieves, but also the complex, internal risk of compromised staff and the urgent need to re-evaluate their security posture, technological investment, and institutional accountability.

Byte-Sized Culture: The Art of Stealing
entertainment, Extended Reality, Digital Futures
Staff Researcher
The Use of Immersive Technology in Live Music: ...

As immersive technologies redefine the live concert experience, artists and virtual idols alike are transforming how audiences engage with music. From Hatsune Miku’s “holographic” performances powered by projection and LED technologies to VR concerts by creators like BlackGryph0n and Gorillaz, extended reality (XR) is blurring the lines between physical and digital performance. This article explores the evolution of Vocaloid software, the artistry behind digital concerts, and the growing influence of augmented and virtual reality in live music. As AR and VR become more accessible, musicians and fans alike are discovering new ways to connect—reshaping what it means to perform, attend, and experience music in the digital age.

The Use of Immersive Technology in Live Music: Vocaloid, Digital Concerts and XR Implementation

entertainment

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April News: Entertainment Industry Divided on AI Tools

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April News: Entertainment Industry Divided on AI Tools

This month, music and film are at the forefront as each battles with the future uses for burgeoning tech. While AI-generated film visuals seem to be coming up short, progress toward realistic AI-generated music is starting to send shockwaves. On the consumer side, music streaming tools are being released to allow more listening experience customization. Across the industry, artists are celebrating ways that some these new tools can enhance their work, while speaking out against potential impacts on jobs, compensation, and creative freedom.

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March News: Privacy, Security, and Trust Busting

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March News: Privacy, Security, and Trust Busting

This month, the United States federal government is placing increased scrutiny on big tech regarding privacy, security, and market competition. While the Department of Justice files an antitrust suit against Apple for its hold on the smartphone market, Congress makes a bold statement with legislation potentially banning TikTok in the U.S.. Meanwhile, Reddit’s initial public offering may signal a move for tech companies to go public. In the world of entertainment, innovative tech brings scent to the gaming experience, and artists explore blockchain to compete with music streaming platforms.

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Chasing Waterfalls: An Early Case Where AI Writes and Performs in an Opera

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Chasing Waterfalls: An Early Case Where AI Writes and Performs in an Opera

The following case study analyzes an opera, Chasing Waterfalls. The opera, which premiered in Dresden, Germany on September 3, 2022, challenged traditional opera expectations by bringing a different way to integrate technology into the opera space. Chasing Waterfalls utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to write, compose, and perform its own aria live within the show.

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Convergence and Innovation: Exploring How Blockchain is Shaping a New Era in the Korean K-pop Industry

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Convergence and Innovation: Exploring How Blockchain is Shaping a New Era in the Korean K-pop Industry

 Blockchain technology has began to permeate an essential aspect of South Korean culture, the K-pop business. South Korea's K-pop industry, famed for its distinct artistic expression and worldwide clout, is entering a new era of digital innovation. The K-pop industry, as represented by firms such as Modhaus, has begun to use blockchain technology, particularly non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain-based voting systems, to create new forms of engagement for fans as well as artists and music corporations.

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In What Ways is AI Disrupting the Dance Industry?

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In What Ways is AI Disrupting the Dance Industry?

In the realm of dance, AI has revolutionized training, choreography, and performance. This article explores AI’s impact on the dance industry, and its potential to enhance accessibility, not only for dance but for performing arts at large.

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Horizon 2028 Part 1: The Future of Global Content Licensing

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Horizon 2028 Part 1: The Future of Global Content Licensing

This report considers content and distribution strategies that allow Paramount Global Content Distribution (PGCD) to maximize subscriber growth and external licensing revenue. Given the symbiotic nature of licensing deals among studios, the research team focused on how PGCD can remain competitive in the streaming landscape with a balanced mixture of internally and externally licensed properties.

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Hurdles Made of Dollar Bills: The Gatekeeping of a College Education in Musical Theatre

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Hurdles Made of Dollar Bills: The Gatekeeping of a College Education in Musical Theatre

For this analysis, author Ashley Offman has analyzed Playbill's Top 10 List from the most recent Broadway season. To fully understand the opportunities available for those who are trying to enter the industry, Ashley analyzed the costs of the current (as of November 2023) top 10 most represented schools on Broadway, the competition surrounding the process, and the possible consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling to end affirmative action.

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Engaging the Next Generation Audience for the Legacy Music Artist: Les Paul Case Study

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Engaging the Next Generation Audience for the Legacy Music Artist: Les Paul Case Study

The following research was designed to gain  an understanding of  the legacy artist to further develop the Les Paul brand and increase recognition surrounding his  name. The research team examined strategies for re-introducing Paul in an over-saturated media climate  to younger generations through both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

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To Stream or Not To Stream: Is that the right question anymore?

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To Stream or Not To Stream: Is that the right question anymore?

The current status of digital programming and investment varies widely across the arts and cultural sector. Some organizations have abandoned the streaming technology they experimented with, while others continue to incorporate digital programs and performances into their offerings.  The following research reveals U.S. streaming trends and audience behaviors.

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9 Ways Blockchain is Changing the Film Industry

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9 Ways Blockchain is Changing the Film Industry

Blockchain is being embraced by many in the entertainment industry. It is known for enabling content creators to cut out the middle man, reduce copyright infringements, enhance royalty payments, and more. This article dives into 9 ways blockchain is changing the film industry.

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AI and Virtual Production: The Past Meets the Future

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AI and Virtual Production: The Past Meets the Future

Technology has played a critical role in the film industry since its inception. Advances in the film industry are always closely related to technological advances in society, integrating them quickly into the filmmaking process. Almost every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production, from digital cameras, editing software, sound and music, distribution, exhibition, and of course, special effects, has undergone major changes and has evolved over the last 190 years. 

Contemporary, traditional film production involves building physical sets, scouting locations, and coordinating large crews and equipment, all of which can be time-consuming and expensive. To overcome some of these "problems" or “needs” was born what we know today as Virtual Production. Virtual production has and will be further enhanced by the opportunities afforded by artificial intelligence.

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Massive Software’s Influence on Popular Fantasy Film

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Massive Software’s Influence on Popular Fantasy Film

Massive Software creates hordes of fantasy armies using Artificial Intelligence and in doing so it has changed the fantasy entertainment game. Their realism is largely due to fuzzy logic, a “way to create naturalistic and subtle behavior” that human viewers will interpret as realistic and powerful. This combined with emergent technology offers a wide array of opportunity for creators.

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Jazz Artists and the Business of Music: Digital Collaborations and Live Streaming

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Jazz Artists and the Business of Music: Digital Collaborations and Live Streaming

Throughout history, jazz has been on the cutting edge of social and cultural change. It has always represented a means of freedom and self-expression in both the brightest and darkest of times. Jazz artists have historically pushed the boundaries of their own genre, as well as others. How does the genre continue to transform in the digital age?

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AI in Spotify’s New ‘AI DJ’

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AI in Spotify’s New ‘AI DJ’

While Spotify has been a frontrunner in the AI field for a decade, its increased infusion of AI into its algorithmic content suggestions has put it into the spotlight with its ‘AI DJ.’ Consumers return again and again to Spotify largely for its enhanced personalization that few other streaming platforms can match. While AI is central to that personalization, it hasn’t surfaced without baggage and some consumer retaliation. It is also worth considering how this technology will further perpetuate algorithmic biases that disproportionately affect Black musicians.

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Multilingual Technology for Global Entertainment: A Case Study of Netflix

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Multilingual Technology for Global Entertainment: A Case Study of Netflix

Central to Netflix’s growth is the company’s keen understanding of its diverse, international markets—Netflix is the leader in multilingual access in the entertainment field. What can we learn from the company’s practice?

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2022 Top 10 Articles

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2022 Top 10 Articles

Every year we review our analytics to highlight what you, our readers, have found the most compelling. In 12 short months, we have witnessed waves of new technology erupt onto the marketplace, like OpenAI’s Dall-e, and others tumble into chaos, most notably cryptocurrency. The top 10 show how YOU have followed the change.

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The Challenge to Keep Millennials and Gen Z Interested in Long-Form, High Quality Content: Part One

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The Challenge to Keep Millennials and Gen Z Interested in Long-Form, High Quality Content: Part One

Millennial and Gen Z consumers have forever altered the entertainment landscape. Shifts in their viewing habits are being motivated by a sense of community, increasingly short attention spans, and pragmatic decision-making spurred by coming of age in a digital and internet-driven environment. To fulfill these motivations, they have increasingly turned their attention to short-form content. this article offers insights on how and why Gen Z and Millennial consumers watch content.

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Managing Privacy, Identity, And Virtual Worlds In Video Games: Part Two

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Managing Privacy, Identity, And Virtual Worlds In Video Games: Part Two

In Part Two investigating video game user privacy, the authors highlight the study’s user research and give an analysis of how gamers and companies perceive data privacy, as well as which video game companies provide the most options in terms of privacy settings.

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Managing Privacy, Identity, and Virtual Worlds in Video Games: Part One

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Managing Privacy, Identity, and Virtual Worlds in Video Games: Part One

The video gaming business is now a world-leading entertainment industry with nearly 180 billion U.S. dollars in market value (Statista, 2021). As more private information and in-game data are collected and utilized to support gaming, it may also threaten the safety of gamers' privacy. Therefore, it is essential for gaming companies to understand the business implications of collecting and using gamers’ private information. There have been studies that take account of the privacy landscape across industries, but privacy in the gaming industry remains less examined given its complexity and rapid recent growth.