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

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Technology in the Arts #10

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #10 In our most recent podcast, Brad interviews CAMT's new support specialist, Josh Futrell.

Josh Futrell, who supports CAMT's partners and manages the Center's quality assurance infrastructure, has never known whether to call himself a nerdy artist or an artistic nerd. In high school, he divided his time between the computer lab and the stage. In college, he spent as much time designing Web sites as memorizing his lines. After earning his B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001, Josh worked in the corporate world as a marketing video editor, an administrative assistant and a customer service representative, all while performing with local theatre organizations. His unique background gives him a foothold in both the technical and the artistic.

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 #7: Microsoft's Ian Lindsay, Part 1

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #7 Previous podcasts have featured interviews from CAMT's October Technology in the Arts conference, but this week we launch our first non-conference edition.

Jason Hansen, an IT professional and Carnegie Mellon professor, joins me as co-host of the podcast. In this edition, we present the first half of our interview with Ian Lindsay of Microsoft Corporation about the January consumer release of Windows Vista.

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Technology in the Arts #6: Brian Feldman / Jonathan Edmonds

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #6 In the latest edition of the Technology in the Arts podcast, Brad presents two more interviews from the 2006 Technology in the Arts conference…

Brian Feldman, Tessitura Software, talks about his company's product and how databases enable arts organizations to track their constituents and provide a more customized experience.

Jonathan Edmonds, Chief Information Officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, talks about the Trust's shared services practice and how technology facilitates the organization's management processes.

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Technology in the Arts #5: Carla Dunlap / Philip Horn

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #5 In the latest edition of the Technology in the Arts podcast, Brad presents two more interviews from the 2006 Technology in the Arts conference…

Carla Dunlap, Program Director and Technology Manager for the Maryland State Arts Council, talks about how arts organizations can market and monitor Web content.

Philip Horn, Executive Director of the PA Council on the Arts, talks about the Council’s lengthy relationship with the Center for Arts Management and Technology.

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Technology in the Arts #4: Anson Parker / Brian Rogers

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #4 In the latest edition of the Technology in the Arts podcast, Brad presents two more interviews from the 2006 Technology in the Arts conference…

Anson Parker, Open Source Consultant, discusses how the high lithium content in his hometown's water supply has led to his faux California accent.

Brian Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the PA Council on the Arts, talks about the Council's extensive use of technology.

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Technology in the Arts #2: Steve Kaster / Teresa Schmittroth

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #2 In the latest edition of the Technology in the Arts podcast, Brad presents two more interviews from the 2006 Technology in the Arts conference...

Steve Kaster: Steve has been CIO for the San Francisco Ballet for five years. Prior to joining the Ballet, Steve was the Director of Information Services for the Old Globe Theaters in San Diego. Before joining the world of IT, Steve worked as a professional theater technician (stagehand), and has more than 20 years experience in technical theater.

Teresa Schmittroth: Teresa Schmittroth is co-founder and Program Director of Art in Context Center for Communications, a nonprofit organization serving the international visual arts community and general public by providing an online reference library for the publication and dissemination of visual arts information. On the Web since 1995, Art in Context, http://www.artincontext.org, assists over one million visitors annually, providing public access to information concerning a growing list of 10,000 artists and 1,000 arts organizations internationally.

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Technology in the Arts #1: Jason Hansen / Jerry Coltin

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #1 Jason Hansen: Adjunct Instructor, Database Theory and Practice and Internet Strategies, Master of Arts Management program (MAM) and Master of Entertainment Industry Management at the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University.

Jerry Coltin: Director of Master of Arts Management program (MAM) and Center for Arts Management and Technology (CAMT) at the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University.