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

Podcast

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Technology in the Arts #30

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #30

In our most recent episode, Brad and Jason discuss the Writer's Guild of America strike, the new beta version of Joomla!, and Brad's reasons for switching to a Mac... for good.

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

United Hollywood - Updates on the WGA strike.

Joomla! - Joomla!, an easy-to-use content management system.

DanceJam - DanceJam is still an invite-only beta, but bookmark the site now for future online booty shaking.

Kompoz - A collaborative music composition tool.

Layer Tennis - Graphic artists compete with Photoshop layers.

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 #29

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #29

In our most recent episode, Brad and Jason take a one-week hiatus. But they don't want to leave you empty-handed, so we're featuring Brad's interview with Kim Larkin, one of the co-directors of the Pittsburgh art space Future Tenant. The visual/performing arts venue is run by students from the Master of Arts Management program at Carnegie Mellon's Institute for the Management of Creative Enterprises.

For more information about the conference, visit www.Future Tenant.org.

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 #28

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #28

In our most recent episode, Brad features interviews from Technology in the Arts 2007, the second annual conference dedicated exclusively to technology strategy and implementation for artists and arts managers.

This episode features Brad's interviews with:

For more information about the conference, visit www.TechnologyInTheArts.org.

For information about Technology in the Arts: Canada, being hosted by the Centre for Cultural Management in May 2008, visit www.TechnologyInTheArts.ca.

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 #27

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #27

In our most recent episode, Brad travels to Louisville, KY, for the Performing Arts Exchange (PAE), hosted annually by the Southern Arts Federation. PAE connects performing artists with agents, presenting organizations and state arts agencies through networking events and professional development sessions.

This episode features Brad's interviews with:

Also featured is the song 'Plenty Good Room' from the American Spiritual Ensemble's album The Spirituals, available for purchase online.

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 #26

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #26

In our most recent episode, Brad interviews Cary McQueen Morrow, executive director of the Center for Arts Management and Technology. Cary announces her plans to leave CAMT - and Pittsburgh - at the end of the year. What prompted the decision? Where is she going? Will she miss the staff of CAMT? And will she buy us all iPhones?

These questions and more are answered in our 26th episode.

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

McQueen Morrow Associates - Cary's new venture.

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

Please note: The cheesy music piece used in this episode is 'What I'm Missing' by Everyday Jones. The track was acquired from Podsafe Audio.

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 #25

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #25

In our most recent episode, Brad and Jason discuss Bjork's never-ending weirdness, the term "bleeding edge," a pixel-based stained glass window and controlling your computer with a Wii-mote.

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

ReacTable - The tabletop synthesizer.

Sony Reader - Portable reading device that uses a "digital paper" technology.

Photo Scene Completion - A project at Carnegie Mellon to create a new image completion algorithm.

Pixel-Based Stained Glass - Gerhard Richter's stained glass window.

Wii-mote Computer Control - Eric Loyer's Wii-mote computer project.

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 #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 #23

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #23

In our most recent episode, Brad and Jason discuss Guitar Hero, Office 2.0 and more Second Life. 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:

Guitar Hero II - Not really arts-related, but it's the best video game of all time

HotHand - Audio effects with the wave of your hand

WiiWare - Now anyone can create games for the Nintendo Wii

Second Life Theater Workshop - New Media Consortium's digital theater activities

Virtual Plays - Guardian Unlimited article about Second Life theater performances

"Office 2.0" Database - Excellent list of office productivity tools

Technology in the Arts - Check the official site for conference information

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 #22

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #22

As Jason Hansen is still on vacation... we're beginning to think he might never return... Brad offers up a quick tip for adding free and legal audio to your podcasts. Brad also presents an encore release of his interview with Felix Barrett from episode #14 for those recent subscribers who have yet to hear it. Barrett is incredibly engaging, and it's definitely worth a repeat.

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:

Podsafe Audio - Free and legal audio for your podcasts or other Net audio endeavors

Punchdrunk Theatricals - Felix Barrett's London-based company

Technology in the Arts - Check the official site for conference information

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 #21

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Podcast - Technology in the Arts #21 In our most recent podcast, Brad and guest co-host Josh Futrell discuss the open source operating system Ubuntu and a $99 computer... seriously. Also, we feature a conversation with Brad Carlin - our first of three interviews leading up to the 2007 Technology in the Arts conference. Carlin and Erica Block will be co-presenting a session at the conference on using social media to build community.

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:

Ubuntu - Open source Linux-based operating system

decTOP - The $99 computer

Technology in the Arts - Check the official site for conference information

SITI Company - New York is their base, but the world is their venue

Archive.org - A fun and useful Web-based data archive

Red Studio - MOMA's interactive, student-designed art education site

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