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UTEP · AAIIAI News Digest
Archived digest · Week of Mar 23 - Mar 29, 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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The Week at a Glance

Arts, Media & Performance · Mar 23 - Mar 29, 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 Cultural Impact on Creativity and Representation

This week, discussions around the intersection of AI and the arts highlight both innovative applications and troubling trends. Researchers are exploring how neural cellular automata can create dynamic music visuals, while the film industry grapples with the portrayal of AI in narratives. Concerns over AI-generated media perpetuating racial stereotypes are underscored by investigations into social media practices. Additionally, a study reveals that human creativity remains distinct from AI capabilities, emphasizing the ongoing debate about authenticity in creative fields.

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Key Findings
  • MIT's Mariano Salcedo is using neural cellular automata for music-driven visuals.
  • A study indicates that current AI models lack true creative abilities.
  • AI-generated media is being used to depict Black women in problematic ways.
Implications
  • The film and television industry may need to reassess AI narratives to avoid cultural misrepresentation.
  • There is a growing need for governance frameworks addressing authenticity in AI-generated content.
  • The ongoing debate about AI's role in creativity could influence future artistic practices and technologies.

Key Metrics

Numbers reported in that week's stories
Over 100 social media accounts analyzed for AI-generated depictions
Study conducted by an international team published in Advanced Science
Weekly summary for Arts, Media & Performance

Arts, Media & Performance

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

Browse the archive ›
No. 1 · Music

Seeing sounds

Research MusicComputer ScienceArtEngineering Education & Leadership
· 03/26/2026
26/30 AAII Impact Score

AI Summary: Mariano Salcedo, a graduate student in MIT's new Music Technology and Computation Graduate Program, is researching the use of neural cellular automata (NCA) to create music-driven visuals that can regenerate in response to audio stimuli. His work allows users to manipulate the relationship between music energy and the NCA system through a web interface, enabling the generation of unique visual performances. Salcedo's research aims to enhance the listening experience by integrating self-organized systems with music, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to music technology. He has been recognized for his contributions and will deliver the student address at the 2026 Advanced Degree Ceremony for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

Topics: Generative AINeural Cellular AutomataMusic-Driven VisualsSelf-Organized Systems
AI Rubric Scores
Research Relevance
5
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
5
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
3
Read the full article ›
No. 2 · Communication 25/30

Beyond Apocalypse: ”New AI” in Film and Television

· 03/23/2026
Applications CommunicationPhilosophyPolitical Science & Public Administration

AI Summary: In "Representing the New AI in Film and Television," Graham Allen addresses the divide between the technical aspects of artificial intelligence and the cultural narratives surrounding it, proposing that films and television serve as complex thought experiments on themes such as consciousness and personhood. He introduces a taxonomy of seven narrative templates that extend beyond traditional dystopian and utopian frameworks, identifying Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" as a foundational text for modern AI narratives, which he interprets through a Levinasian lens as a tragedy of "failed hospitality." Allen applies this analytical framework to contemporary films, illustrating how narratives of romance and identity in works like "Ex Machina" and "Her" reflect and reshape societal understandings of AI. His analysis emphasizes that the portrayal of AI is not merely a reflection of technological concerns but is deeply intertwined with ethical and social considerations.

Topics: AI Ethics & SafetyCultural NarrativesConsciousness RepresentationNarrative Templates
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
5
Practical Impact
3
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
4
Read Full Article ›
No. 3 · Computer Science 25/30

Call For Papers: Special Issue on AI Governance, Authenticity, and Provenance for Visual Media

· 03/27/2026
Research Computer SciencePolitical Science & Public AdministrationCommunicationEngineering Education & Leadership

AI Summary: This special issue invites submissions addressing the challenges of authenticity, provenance, and accountability in visual media, particularly in the context of AI governance and deep learning advancements. It seeks technical contributions from various fields, including computer graphics, visualization, and human-computer interaction, focusing on methods for tracking and verifying the creation and transformation of visual content. Topics of interest include algorithmic approaches to watermarking, digital forensics, interactive provenance visualization, and tools for compliance and accountability in media workflows. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2026, with publication scheduled for March 2027.

Topics: AI GovernanceAuthenticity VerificationProvenance TrackingDigital Forensics
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 4 · Political Science & Public Administration 25/30

DHNow Newsletter, March 25, 2026

· 03/25/2026
Policy & Ethics Political Science & Public AdministrationCommunicationEducational LeadershipSociology & Anthropology

AI Summary: This issue, curated by Colleen Nugent McLean, highlights the implications of AI in the context of digital blackface, particularly focusing on social media accounts that utilize AI-generated characters resembling Black women. Additionally, it includes resources and reports, notably a tool designed to eliminate bleed-through in scans of medieval manuscripts. The content aims to address both the ethical considerations of AI representation and practical advancements in digital humanities.

Topics: AI EthicsDigital BlackfaceAI RepresentationCultural Sensitivity
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 5 · Political Science & Public Administration 25/30

Editors’ Choice: AI Blackface: Profiting on racist depictions at scale

· 03/25/2026
Policy & Ethics Political Science & Public AdministrationSociology & AnthropologyCommunication

AI Summary: The investigation examined over 100 social media accounts across 34 countries that utilized AI-generated media to depict Black women in sexualized contexts. The findings highlight a concerning trend of explicit, internalized anti-Blackness perpetuated through these accounts. The author emphasizes the urgent need for solutions to address this issue, as advancements in AI media could exacerbate the exploitation of marginalized groups if left unaddressed.

Topics: AI EthicsRacist Depictions MitigationSocial Media AI ExploitationMarginalized Group Protection
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
5
Interdisciplinary Potential
4
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 6 · Art 24/30

Human creativity still resists automation: Artists rank highest, with unguided AI coming in last

· 03/28/2026
Research ArtComputer SciencePhilosophy

AI Summary: A recent study published in Advanced Science challenges the notion of genuine creativity in artificial intelligence (AI), asserting that current generative AI models do not possess true creative abilities. The research, conducted by an international team from the University of Barcelona and associated institutions, analyzes the imaginative processes of these AI systems and concludes that their outputs are not the result of authentic creativity. This work aims to clarify misconceptions about AI's creative capabilities and emphasizes the limitations of current generative models.

Topics: Generative AIAI Creativity LimitationsImaginative Process AnalysisMisconceptions in AI
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
5
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
3
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
No. 7 · Music 22/30

Lyria 3 Pro: Create longer tracks in more

· 03/25/2026
Applications MusicComputer ScienceCreative Writing

AI Summary: Lyria 3 Pro has been launched in public preview on Vertex AI, enabling businesses to generate high-fidelity audio at scale for various applications, including gaming and creative tools. The integration of Lyria 3 into Google AI Studio and the Gemini app enhances musical awareness and structural coherence, allowing developers and users to create customized soundtracks and longer tracks for diverse media projects. Additionally, ProducerAI, a collaborative music creation tool, leverages Lyria 3 Pro to assist artists and producers in the iterative songwriting process. These tools are now accessible to both free and paid subscribers, expanding the capabilities for music generation across platforms.

Topics: Generative AIHigh-Fidelity Audio GenerationCollaborative Music CreationCustom Soundtrack Development
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
3
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
5
Interdisciplinary Potential
4
Ethical/Policy Implications
2
Read Full Article ›
No. 8 · Computer Science 22/30

Resource: Translucens

· 03/25/2026
Applications Computer ScienceArt

AI Summary: The article presents Translucens, a browser-based tool designed to remove ink bleed-through from scans of medieval manuscripts. It integrates guided-filter estimation, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) source separation, and Wiener deconvolution to effectively distinguish and eliminate show-through artifacts from recto and verso folio scans. The tool aims to enhance the readability and preservation of historical texts by improving the quality of digitized manuscript images.

Topics: Computer VisionInk Bleed-Through RemovalNon-Negative Matrix FactorizationWiener Deconvolution
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
5
Interdisciplinary Potential
4
Ethical/Policy Implications
2
Read Full Article ›
No. 9 · Political Science & Public Administration 21/30

‘She’s Never Going to Age’: Porn Stars Are Embracing AI Clones to Stay Forever Young

· 03/26/2026
Business Political Science & Public AdministrationCommunicationComputer Science

AI Summary: Lisa Ann, a former adult performer, has partnered with OhChat, an AI companion company, to license her likeness for the creation of AI-generated adult content. This initiative allows users to generate personalized scenarios featuring her digital twin, which replicates her voice, appearance, and mannerisms. The move reflects a broader trend in the adult entertainment industry towards consent-driven AI porn, as performers seek to maintain control over their digital representations amid rising concerns about deepfakes and age-verification laws. OhChat, launched in 2024, has rapidly gained traction, boasting over 400,000 users and contracts with various celebrities, while emphasizing a tiered subscription model for accessing content.

Topics: Generative AIAI Cloning TechnologyConsent-Driven AI ContentDigital Twin Applications
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
4
Practical Impact
5
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
4
Read Full Article ›
No. 10 · Political Science & Public Administration 21/30

What Is YouTube’s Dominance Doing to Us? We Asked Its C.E.O.

· 03/28/2026
Policy & Ethics Political Science & Public AdministrationCommunicationEducational Leadership

AI Summary: Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, discussed the platform's approach to artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for responsible AI integration to avoid misinformation and harmful content. He highlighted the implementation of enhanced parental controls to provide a safer environment for younger users. Mohan also addressed the broader implications of AI on content consumption and its potential effects on user behavior and societal norms. The conversation underscored the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations in AI deployment.

Topics: AI Ethics & SafetyResponsible AI IntegrationMisinformation MitigationParental Control Systems
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
2
Educational Value
4
Innovation/Novelty
3
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
3
Ethical/Policy Implications
5
Read Full Article ›
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