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Archived digest · Week of Mar 09 - Mar 15, 2026

Applied AI news,
scored for your field

Each week the Institute for Applied AI Innovation reviews AI publications and scores them for Research Relevance, Educational Value, Innovation/Novelty, Practical Impact, Interdisciplinary Potential and Ethical/Policy Implications. Then it writes summaries for each discipline at UTEP.

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Your Discipline 10 stories

The Week at a Glance

Arts, Media & Performance · Mar 09 - Mar 15, 2026

Arts, Media & Performance. Art, music, theatre & dance, communication/media. Prefers creative tech, media production tools, and cultural industry trends.
Departments: Art, Communication, Music, Theatre & Dance
Arts, Media & Performance

AI's Influence on Creativity and Digital Preservation

This week, discussions around the intersection of artificial intelligence and the arts have gained momentum, highlighting both innovative applications and ethical considerations. The 'Connecting Codes' conference aims to foster collaboration among various professionals to explore AI's role in digital humanities. Meanwhile, Joseph Paradiso's work at MIT showcases how sensing technologies can bridge diverse fields, including the arts and medicine. Additionally, the challenges artists face with AI tools underscore the need for clearer guidelines in creative collaborations. As society grapples with the implications of AI, parents are advocating for online safety in the wake of tragic events linked to chatbot interactions.

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Key Findings
  • The 'Connecting Codes' conference will unite diverse professionals to explore AI's impact on digital humanities.
  • Joseph Paradiso's innovations at MIT highlight the convergence of technology with arts and ecology.
  • Parents are mobilizing for enhanced online safety measures in response to AI's influence on vulnerable populations.
Implications
  • Increased collaboration between technologists and artists may lead to more refined AI tools for creative expression.
  • The push for online safety could result in stricter regulations governing AI interactions, especially for vulnerable users.
  • The recognition of bespoke code in digital humanities may reshape how scholarly outputs are evaluated and valued.

Key Metrics

Numbers reported in that week's stories
AI customer support startup valued at $2 billion
23-page zine on DIY web archiving published to encourage public participation
Weekly summary for Arts, Media & Performance

Arts, Media & Performance

Top articles by AAII Impact Score (out of 30).

Browse the archive ›
No. 1 · Computer Science

Conference Announcement: Connecting Codes Conference

Education Computer ScienceEducational LeadershipPolitical Science & Public AdministrationCommunication
· 03/11/2026
24/30 AAII Impact Score

AI Summary: The "Connecting Codes" conference aims to unite scholars, librarians, heritage professionals, technologists, and students to examine the interplay between artificial intelligence, digital humanities, and information institutions, particularly within African contexts. It emphasizes the integration of various "codes," including technical systems, cultural knowledge, and ethical frameworks related to information management. This initiative builds on previous Africa-centered digital humanities efforts and seeks to enhance the visibility of Africa-based scholarship and diasporic perspectives in the field.

Topics: AI Ethics & SafetyDigital Humanities IntegrationCultural Knowledge SystemsInformation Management Frameworks
AI Rubric Scores
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
4
Read the full article ›
No. 2 · Electrical & Computer Engineering 23/30

How Joseph Paradiso’s sensing innovations bridge the arts, medicine, and ecology

· 03/10/2026
Research Electrical & Computer EngineeringKinesiologyBiological SciencesArtPublic Health Sciences

AI Summary: At the MIT Media Lab, Paradiso's research focuses on the development of technologies that capture and process multiple sensing modalities for diverse applications, including the internet of things, medicine, and environmental sensing. He pioneered wireless wearable sensing, exemplified by a 1997 project involving shoes embedded with sensors for real-time augmented dance performance. His work has evolved to include group applications and sports medicine, utilizing compact wearable sensors to monitor athletes' performance and injury risk. Recently, Paradiso's team has deployed sensors in remote environments to study animal behavior, contributing to ecological understanding and conservation efforts. He was recognized as an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to wireless sensing and mobile energy harvesting.

Topics: RoboticsWireless Wearable SensingEcological SensingSports Medicine Monitoring
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
5
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
2
Read Full Article ›
No. 3 · Political Science & Public Administration 23/30

Recommended to you: an experimental study of normative influences from algorithmic and social recommendations on social media

· 03/12/2026
Research Political Science & Public AdministrationCommunicationSociology & Anthropology

AI Summary: This study employed a between-subject design to investigate the effects of different types of recommendations (social, algorithmic, popularity-based algorithmic, and no recommendation) on attitudes toward digital immortality, alongside two moral evaluations (endorsing and opposing digital immortality). Data were collected from a diverse sample of 1,021 social media users in Switzerland, ensuring representation across gender, age, and education levels, although individuals with only compulsory education were underrepresented. Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions and responded to questions regarding their perceptions of norms and intentions related to digital immortality. The study's design and ethical considerations were approved by the faculty's ethics committee, and all materials are available on the Open Science Framework.

Topics: AI EthicsDigital ImmortalityAlgorithmic RecommendationsSocial Media Influence
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
3
Interdisciplinary Potential
4
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 4 · Educational Leadership 23/30

Teaching With VEO, Google’s AI Video Generation Tool

· 03/09/2026
Applications Educational LeadershipEngineering Education & LeadershipComputer ScienceCommunication

AI Summary: Google has launched its VEO video-generating AI tool, accessible through the Gemini platform for Pro subscribers. The tool allows users to create videos by providing prompts, although the quality of the output can vary significantly based on the specificity of the input. Initial experiments with VEO revealed its potential for educational applications, such as recreating historical events and demonstrating the importance of precise language in prompting. However, the technology also raises concerns regarding misinformation and its implications for the entertainment industry and job market, highlighting the need for educators to prepare students for these challenges.

Topics: Generative AIAI Video GenerationEducational ApplicationsMisinformation Mitigation
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
3
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 5 · Art 21/30

Researchers train AI to better follow artists by sharing creative 'ground rules'

· 03/11/2026
Applications ArtComputer ScienceEducational Leadership

AI Summary: The article discusses the challenges faced by visual artists when using text-to-image AI tools, highlighting the difficulty in providing specific and detailed instructions to achieve desired outcomes. While the potential for AI as a collaborative tool in creative work is acknowledged, current limitations hinder artists' ability to effectively direct AI in generating complex images. The piece emphasizes the need for advancements in AI capabilities to better support artistic expression.

Topics: Generative AICreative CollaborationInstruction PrecisionArtistic Expression Support
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
3
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
4
Ethical/Policy Implications
3
Read Full Article ›
No. 6 · Educational Leadership 21/30

Resource: DIY Web Archiving

· 03/11/2026
Education Educational LeadershipCommunication

AI Summary: The article presents a 23-page zine titled "DIY Web Archiving," co-created by a team of researchers and educators, aimed at encouraging public participation in web preservation. It outlines the importance of archiving online content and provides practical guidance for individuals to engage in this process without requiring specialized skills. The zine is based on a virtual workshop held on November 25, 2024, and includes contributions from various co-sponsors and participants.

Topics: AI Policy & RegulationPublic Participation in ArchivingWeb Preservation TechniquesCommunity Engagement in AI
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
3
Read Full Article ›
No. 7 · Computer Science 21/30

Editors’ Choice: Defactoring Pace of Change

· 03/11/2026
Research Computer ScienceEducational LeadershipCommunication

AI Summary: The article advocates for recognizing bespoke code in digital humanities research as a fundamental component of scholarly output rather than as overlooked technical labor. It introduces "defactoring," a method for closely reading and restructuring code to expose the computational narrative of a project. By analyzing the code from a literary analysis study, the authors illustrate the interconnection between code, data, and prose. They conclude by urging the adoption of new scholarly practices that incorporate code into academic discourse.

Topics: Digital HumanitiesDefactoring MethodComputational NarrativeCode as Scholarly Output
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
3
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
2
Read Full Article ›
No. 8 · Computer Science 19/30

AI Customer Support Startup Now Valued at $2 billion

· 03/13/2026
Business Computer ScienceCommunicationMarketing, Management & Supply Chain

AI Summary: The article discusses a vendor's strategic focus on expanding its services into non-English speaking markets. The initiative aims to enhance accessibility and usability of AI technologies for diverse linguistic populations. By localizing its offerings, the vendor seeks to address language barriers and improve user engagement in these regions. The move is part of a broader trend of AI companies recognizing the importance of inclusivity in technology deployment.

Topics: Consumer AILanguage LocalizationUser Engagement StrategiesInclusivity in AI
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
4
Read Full Article ›
No. 9 · Political Science & Public Administration 19/30

Social Media Addiction Trial Nears End. Society Long Ago Rendered Its Verdict.

· 03/12/2026
Policy & Ethics Political Science & Public AdministrationSociology & AnthropologyCommunication

AI Summary: Closing arguments commenced in a significant trial examining online behavior, which has implications for digital regulation and user privacy. The case has garnered attention for its potential to influence future legal standards regarding online conduct. While the trial is ongoing, preliminary indications suggest that the outcome may already be leaning towards a particular conclusion. Further developments will clarify the implications of the court's decision on online behavior.

Topics: AI Policy & RegulationDigital User PrivacyOnline Behavior StandardsLegal Implications of AI
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
2
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 10 · Political Science & Public Administration 19/30

A.I. Incites a New Wave of Grieving Parents Fighting for Online Safety

· 03/11/2026
Policy & Ethics Political Science & Public AdministrationSociology & AnthropologyCommunication

AI Summary: Parents are advocating for enhanced protections against chatbots, linking their influence to the tragic deaths of their children. This movement builds on previous efforts aimed at addressing the harmful effects of social media. The parents' concerns highlight the need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety of children in digital environments.

Topics: AI Policy & RegulationOnline Safety AdvocacyChild Protection MeasuresDigital Environment Safety
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
2
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
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