Making sense of rapid technological change is becoming an essential skill for today’s cultural leaders, especially as artificial intelligence begins to influence how art is created, shared, and experienced. In a moment where innovation is accelerating and ethical considerations are increasingly complex, artists and arts administrators alike are called to think critically about the role of technology in shaping creative practice.
Join the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders for an in-depth panel discussion on the impact of AI in creative fields. Panelists will share insights and case studies on the use of AI in their practice, how it's being integrated at an academic level, the pros and cons of Agentic Artificial intelligence and an examination of the evolving role of artists as curators, editors, and directors in AI-collaborative environments.
All are welcome and the session will be followed by a Q&A.
ARTificial Intelligence:
A Collaborative Case Study
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 10AM
Register here
(Free event on Zoom)
Featured Panelists
Moderator: John A. Stuart, AIA, Associate Dean for Strategic Communication and Alliances, College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts, Florida International University
John Stuart, a registered architect and Distinguished University Professor of Architecture at Florida International University, serves as Associate Dean for Strategic Communication and Alliances in the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts. He advances innovation at the intersection of design, technology, and environmental resilience, leading strategic partnerships, communication initiatives, and collaborative negotiations. His research, funded by the NSF, NEA, and NEH, encompasses climate adaptation in historic urban environments and the ethical use of AI, including co-authoring the EDUCAUSE paper “Ethics is the Edge.” In the community, he chaired the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board and chairs the Ocean First Institute Board of Directors, advocating for research, education, and engagement in marine sciences. He serves on the Executive Board of Governors of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, integrating cultural stewardship, environmental conservation, higher education, and community collaboration into a shared, multidisciplinary vision of impact
Ariel Baron-Robbins, Visiting Assistant Professor of Animation, Art & Art History, Florida International University; Founder and Director of Loop Art Critique, a spatial-net critique and exhibition space
Ariel Baron-Robbins is a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Animation at Florida International University and Curator in Residence at Lynn University. Her teaching centers on animation as a contemporary fine art practice, with an emphasis on emerging technologies including generative AI, augmented reality, and metaverse platforms. She guides students to engage these tools both creatively and critically, examining how different AI models shape visual style, form, and authorship. Baron-Robbins is the founder of Loop Art Critique, an international critique community situated inside the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami's Art + Research Center and 2026 recipient of the Knight Foundation's Tech Expansion grant. Her interdisciplinary practice spans digital media, drawing, and AI, exploring themes of world building, feedback loops, and artistic labor. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Florida and a BFA from the University of Mississippi.
Travis Cloyd, Director and Professor, Florida International University D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Sciences)
Travis Cloyd is an award-winning immersive experience creator, filmmaker, and media executive focused on next-generation storytelling and experiential content. He serves as Director of D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Sciences) and Professor at Florida International University, where he leads initiatives at the intersection of emerging media, technology, and global enterprise innovation. A recipient of the FIU Medallion, Cloyd previously co-directed FIU’s iSTAR program and most recently served as Global Futurist and Professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, where he led programs in the metaverse and global enterprise. His work spans collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, top academic institutions, and leading talent across film, artificial intelligence, immersive media, and location-based entertainment. Recognized by Time, Forbes, Fortune, Variety, and CNBC, Cloyd and is a member of the Producers Guild of America. Through D.R.E.A.M.S., he is committed to advancing experiential learning throughout themed entertainment and shaping the future of creative industries worldwide.
Elizabeth Marsh, MFA, Associate Professor - Public Relations & Advertising; Assistant Director - AI Integration CARTA, Florida International University
Professor Marsh is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Communication at Florida International University, where she has taught for 17 years. She also serves as Assistant Director for AI Integration in the College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts. Marsh's work lives at the intersection of storytelling and technology. Her research and teaching focus on social media strategy, AI-enhanced communication, immersive media, and digital content production. She champions AI as a brainstorming partner and creative amplifier—never a substitute for human ingenuity—and has developed five courses centered on digital technology, extended reality, and strategic communication. Her creative portfolio includes video art for experimental operas that have premiered internationally, National Geographic-funded conservation communication research, and other experimental video work. Students call her caring, hilarious, and a tough grader who gives great feedback—words she treasures more than any academic honor. Marsh brings 30-plus years of professional production experience to her teaching, including work as a film and video editor and digital content creator. She holds certifications in AI for Communication, Strategic Communications, and Immersive Media + Storytelling.
Hosted by the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders, a program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Arts and Business Council of Miami and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Miami Emerging Arts Leaders is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs to identify and cultivate the next generation of emerging arts leaders in our community. Since 2004, the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders have provided networking and resource sharing opportunities to encourage new/emerging arts administrators to explore professional development issues and opportunities. All arts professionals are welcome. Find out about upcoming events by subscribing to the email newsletter: www.miamidadearts.org.