Who: Authors, technologists, and artists, including poet Kenzie Allen and author Eugene Lim. What: The 56th Annual UND Writers Conference themed “Makers & Machines.” When: March 2025. Where: University of North Dakota. Why: To investigate the relationship between art, storytelling, and technology. How: Through panels, workshops, and literary readings.
Centered on the intersection of art and technology, the UND Writers Conference featured panels such as “Creative Practice in a Digital World.” Discussions highlighted how digital tools shape narrative while fostering community. For example, Kenzie Allen emphasized how Indigenous storytelling, like Wampum weaving, parallels modern tech’s narrative frameworks. Eugene Lim explored AI’s role in fiction, advocating it as a tool to enhance empathy.
Pros:
- Bridges gaps between traditional and digital storytelling.
- Encourages interactive artistic collaborations.
Cons:
- Critics argue that technology can overshadow human creativity.
- Access to tech-based art tools may remain uneven.
This conference reaffirms art’s enduring role in fostering connections while evolving alongside technology.
References:
- https://www.prweb.com/releases/planet-classroom-launches-april-2025-films-lineup-featuring-ai-innovation-climate-action-music-and-youth-changemakers-302416497.html
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/chemistry/
- https://www.slu.edu.ph/2025/04/02/icreate-2025-driving-innovation-for-societal-transformation/
- https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/social-media-news
- https://blogs.und.edu/und-today/2025/04/art-tech-community-fluoresce-at-56th-annual-writers-conference/
- https://artcall.org/calls
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/engineering/
- https://www.ap.org
- https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2025/04/construction-continues-on-campus
- https://www.livescience.com
