Podcast, Art Meets Tech, Media
Yao Pei
The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the ...

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Samantha Childers explores why so many songs recommended by streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music sound strikingly similar. She breaks down the inner workings of music streaming algorithms—how metadata, collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and continuous feedback loops collectively shape the “perfect playlist.” Childers also examines Spotify features such as Discover Weekly and Discovery Mode, uncovering how these tools influence music discovery, artist visibility, and even compositional trends as musicians increasingly write with algorithms in mind. Alongside these technical insights, she raises critical ethical questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, pay-to-play practices, and the shrinking role of human curation. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to rethink how algorithm-driven platforms shape not only what we hear but also how we discover, value, and experience music.

The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the making of your music feeds
Podcast, Digital Futures, Art Meets Tech
Yao Pei
Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the ...

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Andrew Wolverton and Zachary Collins explore how arts-focused technology can transform nonprofit ticketing and operations, tracing Ludus’s journey from a side project for a single high school musical to a nationwide platform serving more than 4,000 organizations. Collins explains how Ludus was built from the ground up around the real needs of drama teachers and community theaters, growing into an end-to-end system for ticketing, fundraising, marketing, volunteers, and concessions—while staying anchored in a people-first culture summed up by the company’s core value, “Give a Shit.” He reflects on navigating the COVID-19 shutdown through livestreaming and social-distancing tools, choosing the right growth equity partner, and why he believes AI shouldn’t replace arts workers but instead act as a “superpower” that frees them to focus on human-centered work and shared live experiences.

Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the Game
Podcast, Entertainment, Digital Futures, Artificial Intelligence
Yao Pei
Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of ...

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.

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment
Podcast, Art Meets Tech, Digital Futures, Creative Coding
Yao Pei
The Art of Language: Daniel Temkin Reveals The ...

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Daniel Temkin and Luna Lu discussed the artistic possibilities of code, focusing on esoteric programming languages (esolangs) and how they can function as a medium for art and human expression. Temkin explained that his interest began with experimenting in existing esolangs (like Brainfuck) around 2007-2008, leading him to create his own and document them conceptually, moving away from overly technical documentation. The conversation highlighted how giving up on the idea that programming must be practical allows for artistic exploration, connecting esolangs to idea art, constraint-based work (such as the Oulipo Group), and performance art. Temkin detailed the structure of his book, which presents programming languages as idea-based art, containing both realized works and conceptual prompts inspired by artists like Yoko Ono, and described how his languages — such as Fat Finger, which inspired code poetry, and Folders, which manipulates file system hierarchy — explore themes of collaboration, human irrationality, and the extreme constraints of logical systems. Listeners were also encouraged to explore existing esolangs on the Esolang Wiki before trying to design their own.

The Art of Language: Daniel Temkin Reveals The Inner Workings of Esolangs
Podcast, Artificial Intelligence, Society, Media, Public Policy
Yao Pei
Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and ...

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.

Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and Our Lives

Art Meets Tech

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Technology in the Arts #24

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #24

In our most recent episode, Brad interviews David Dombrosky, contemporary art and new initiatives director for the Southern Arts Federation. Read David's full bio here.

And our ongoing - possibly never ending - challenge still stands: We're still waiting on someone to send Brad a MySpace page that looks good. The first person to achieve this seemingly impossible task will win a free lunch.

Respond to the above by emailing podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

Second Life - Not happy with the real world? Become anyone in this virtual world.

Molotov Alva - Documentary about a man who disappears from the real world and is rediscovered in Second Life.

Technology in the Arts - Check the official site for information on the conference's 2007 programming.

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #20

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #20 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason urge Pennsylvania residents to take advantage of Technology in the Arts conference scholarships and have a mini argument about whether 'steampunk' is art. Part two of Brad's interview with Girl Talk is also featured.

And our ongoing - possibly never ending - challenge still stands: We're still waiting on someone to send Brad a MySpace page that looks good. The first person to achieve this seemingly impossible task will win a free lunch.

Respond to the above by emailing podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

Steampunk - An article from WIRED about the recent steampunk craze

artsnetCMS - Announcing CAMT's new FREE content management system program for non-profit arts organizations!

Technology in the Arts - Check the official site for scholarship and ArtsTech Award info

Girl Talk on Wikipedia - Unlock the secrets of the Girl Talk samples

Whistlebox - YouTube on crack

77 Million Paintings - Musician and artist Brian Eno's Mac-driven digital art

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #18

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #18 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason talk about their new recording toy and Jason tries to make amends for an error he made in episode 17. The duo also discusses tiny URLs, Dale Chihuly and VOIP.

Also, we're still waiting on someone to respond to the challenge of sending Brad a MySpace page that looks good. The first person to achieve this seemingly impossible task will win a free lunch.

Respond to the above by emailing podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

ZoomFX - Thanks to our new podcast sponsor

Skype - One of the most popular VOIP services

Dale Chihuly - Online home of the famous glass artist

Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass - 2007 is the year of glass in Pittsburgh

Blue Gobo - Online musical theater video repository

TinyURL - Make long URLs tiny with ease

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #16

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #16 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason discuss the pop quiz winner (finally!), wine country and social bookmarking.

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

23 Things - 23 things you can do to expand your Web 2.0 knowledge

Twitter.com - Keep your friends updated on your every move

Dodgeball.com - Google-tastic version of Twitter

NASA's Rocket Science 101 - Learn how to get to the moon

Life Through Time - A beautiful site that tells the history of Earth through photographs

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #15

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #15 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason discuss RSS feeds, Web 2.0 - and 3.0! - and busking as art.

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

Yahoo! Pipes - Very cool multi-RSS tool

MySpace Demise? - An article about the death of social networking

'Pearls Before Breakfast' - Is it wrong to ignore subway musicians when you're sleepy?

Search by Humming - Search for a song by humming into your computer's microphone

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #14

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #14 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason discuss London theatre. (Notice the classy "re" spelling of the word "theatre" in honor of our friends across the pond.)

Use the following handy-dandy links to follow along with the episode:

Equus - Publicity site for the current London production of Equus

Punchdrunk - Phenomenal London-based theater company

Threadless - Submit your own t-shirt design for a chance to have it printed

Tiny Showcase - Browse and purchase limited edition artwork

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #12

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #12 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason discuss online calendars and stylesheets, and they wax nostalgic about their introduction to technology.

Use the following links to follow along with the episode:

Barestage.com - New Stages podcasts of new plays

giss.tv - Free streaming media site submitted by a listener

ArtsJournal.com - Thanks, Doug!

CMSMatrix.org - Compare content management systems

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.

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Technology in the Arts #11

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #11 In our most recent podcast, Brad and Jason discuss online exhibitions, wikis and Bruce Willis movies that may be coming to a PBS tote bag near you.

Use the following links to follow along with the episode:

MOMA - The Museum of Modern Art Museum of London - Prints available for purchase Wikipedia - Online wiki-driven info center Moviebeam - Never leave the house again, fatty Twink.net - Electronic music composed using toy pianos threequestionmarks.com - Vibrant photography (some images are for adult eyes)

Reminder - If you have any questions or interesting discussion items, please send them to podcast@technologyinthearts.org.