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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Radically Open: A Conversation with ArtPrize's Christian Gaines

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Radically Open: A Conversation with ArtPrize's Christian Gaines

Christian Gaines, the Executive Director of ArtPrize, recently sat down with AMT Lab Chief Editor Patrick Zakem to talk about the necessity of open systems, the challenges of starting a large organization with a startup ethos, and Artprize’s innovative mobile application. Listen to their conversation here!

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Thinking Big with Michael Edson

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Michael Edson, Associate Director and Head of Digital for the United Nations Live—Museum for Humanity, recently sat down with AMT-Lab Chief Editor Patrick Zakem to talk about his work. Listen here to to hear Michael's views on organizational change, the digital commons, and how new ways of work are influencing the museum space.

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Podcast Episode #84 - Social Media Spotlight: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co.

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Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co. in Washington, DC has been getting a lot of press lately about their re-launch of the Pulitzer-Prize winning play "Clybourne Park". Along with the production, Woolly Mammoth has begun an innovative audience engagement campaign that includes many social media platforms. In this podcast, Rachel Grossman (Connectivity Director for the theater) answers questions about social media planning, what "connectivity" actually means, and integrating efforts across platforms.[display_podcast]

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Podcast Episode 83 - CloudTix and the Mobile Ticketing Experience

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This episode serves as a farewell to Amelia Northrup who has been working with the Technology in the Arts for the past two years while she completed her Master in Arts Management degree at Carnegie Mellon. We wish her the best of luck in her new adventures in the field!

CloudTix allows a venue's patrons to select seats and purchase tickets with an easy-to-use mobile app
CloudTix allows a venue's patrons to select seats and purchase tickets with an easy-to-use mobile app

In this episode, Amelia talks with Bill Predmore, Founder and President of POP - an interactive marketing agency crafting innovative experiences for the web, mobile devices and emerging technologies. Their discussion focuses on CloudTix, a new platform for mobile ticketing experiences which allows patron's to learn more about a performance, view multimedia content, select their seats, and purchase tickets from within an easy-to-use mobile application.

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Podcast Episode #82 - Tech Tips for Small Arts Organizations

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techtipsIn this episode, the Technology in the Arts team discuss 10 tech tips to help small arts organizations maximizing their effectiveness while minimizing the impact on their budgets. Topics include: all things Google, free broadcast email, social media strategy, establishing a mobile presence, using Facebook as your brand, location-based social media platforms, TechSoup Global, and more!

Cool Sites of the Episode:

  • Molly - We Are Media
  • David - VYou
  • Tara - Soundcloud
  • Tom - ArtBabble
  • Amelia - The Producer's Perspective
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    Podcast Episode #81 - Audience Feedback 2.0 - Quantifying Intrinsic Impact

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    theatrebayareaIn this episode, David talks with Clayton Lord from Theatre Bay Area about their work on "Audience Feedback 2.0" - a research study conducted with Wolf Brown on measuring the intrinsic impact (intellectual, social,  and emotional) of a theatrical performance on audiences within 18 theatres in 6 cities throughout the United States.  The study seeks to establish:

    • A web-based interface to eventually allow any company to do their own impact study at minimal expense
    • A data set that will be useful for artists, administrators, advocates, funders and audience members
    • A series of national conversations designed to tackle how best to talk about the arts in a way that isn't economic

    For more information:

    The Intrinsic Impact Project - Theatre Bay Area's current online record for the project

    Intrinsic Impact: New Approaches to Audience and Visitor Feedback - a 60-minute webinar conducted by Wolf Brown and hosted by Americans for the Arts.  (Must be an AFTA member to view this webinar.)

    Major University Presenters Value and Impact Study - a two-year study of the values and motivations driving performing arts attendance and donation.