AI

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Alexann Sharp and Cara Flannery sit down with four-time Emmy-winning innovator Michael Cioni to unpack how technology and creativity converge in modern media workflows. Cioni introduces Strada, a peer-to-peer platform designed to enable remote collaboration without cloud storage, and shares career lessons on building networks through industry events (NAB, Cine Gear, IBC) and assembling complementary teams (“Swiss-cheese” collaboration). He distinguishes generative vs. utilitarian AI, predicts a shakeout and rebound for GenAI, and outlines his Skills Gap Principle and “Technative” mindset for balancing creative and technical strengths. The conversation closes with candid advice on taking smarter risks and betting on yourself.

Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and Our Lives

Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and Our Lives

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Melida Hernandez and Christine Rivera dive into the intersections of technology, identity, and representation in digital spaces and media. Melida explores how AI-based recognition systems, often trained on biased datasets, misclassify transgender and non-binary individuals, which impacts their self-presentation, psychological well-being, and digital agency. Melida also discusses how these technologies replicate real-world prejudices, limiting the fluidity of gender expression online, and highlights the lack of diversity in AI research teams, where women make up only 10–15% of staff. Christine’s research, on the other hand, focuses on how scripted and streaming television depicts motherhood and women’s reproductive choices, connecting these portrayals to broader issues such as policy, workplace inequality, and the “motherhood penalty.” Together, they unpack how media archetypes, algorithmic bias, and social platforms shape public perception and reinforce gender roles, calling for more inclusive storytelling, equitable AI design, and better systemic support for women and marginalized communities.

Ethics, AI, and Sustainability in the Arts

Ethics, AI, and Sustainability in the Arts

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Hannah Brainard and Anuja Uppuluri explore two significant threats to artists and cultural institutions: the ethical and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically its pre-training practices, and the impact of climate change on art and cultural heritage. They discuss how AI models often exploit artists' work without consent or compensation, leading to calls for dynamic consent systems, robust attribution, and fair compensation models.

Digital Marketing in the Age of AI: Insights from Grapeseed Media's Bill Updegraff

Digital Marketing in the Age of AI: Insights from Grapeseed Media's Bill Updegraff

In this episode of Tech in the Arts, Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford of the Arts Management and interviews Bill Updegraff, founder and CEO of Grapeseed Media, a programmatic digital advertising firm. Grapeseed Media, established in 2013, has grown into a trusted partner for brands and agencies in digital advertising, earning recognition on Inc.’s 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.

Let's Talk: Makers, Buyers, and AI in the Marketplace

Let's Talk: Makers, Buyers, and AI in the Marketplace

What are the latest AI-powered tools transforming the market for art and cultural goods? In this Let’s Talk episode of the Tech in the Arts podcast, AMT Lab’s Executive Director, Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford, and Lead Researcher, Ian Hawthorne, explore cutting-edge platforms like NALA, Blendbox, Spines, and Encore—and how these innovations are reshaping the way we create and consume art. 

Let’s Talk: AI Policy and Artist Advocacy

Let’s Talk: AI Policy and Artist Advocacy

What happened to the AI bill SB-1047? And how can artists advocate for themselves amid technological changes? In this Let’s Talk episode of the Tech in the Arts Podcast, AMT Lab’s Chief Editor of Research, Hannah Brainard, and Lead Researcher, Ian Hawthorne, dive into the recent developments in AI policy and its impact on artists.

Christie's Art + Tech Recap with Jessica Bowser Acrie

Christie's Art + Tech Recap with Jessica Bowser Acrie

In the first episode of the 2024-2025 season of Tech in the Arts, hear from Jessica Bowser Acrie, the director of the Arts Management and Public Management programs at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Having recently attended the Christie’s Art + Tech Summit, Bowser Acrie shares her key takeaways for arts managers.

Ghostbots & Griefbots: The Morality of Digital Permanence

Ghostbots & Griefbots: The Morality of Digital Permanence

In this episode, Liz and Summer Social Media Manager Maraika Lumholdt speak with Jacob Gursky, privacy engineering student at Carnegie Mellon University, about Ghostbots, Griefbots, and their role in the Arts. The conversation covers the complexity of these digital creations, how they are used in different settings, and their morality.

Let's Talk: Impact of Covid-19 Vaccine News, Racism in AI, and Tech Resolutions for 2021

Let's Talk: Impact of Covid-19 Vaccine News, Racism in AI, and Tech Resolutions for 2021

In this month’s Let’s Talk episode, Angela Johnson and B Crittenden chat about how news of the Covid-19 vaccine is affecting attendance at arts institutions as well as how AI implementation in museums can include racial biases. They also share their technology resolutions for 2021.

Let's Talk Problem Solving in a Pandemic: Remote Technology, Automation, and Fundraising

Let's Talk Problem Solving in a Pandemic: Remote Technology, Automation, and Fundraising

In the eighth installment of our Let’s Talk series, Alyssa and Grace sit down to dive deeper into ways arts organizations are adjusting to coronavirus mandates across the globe by adopting new technology, contemplating automation, and trying out new fundraising strategies.