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Synthetic Narratives AI / XR + THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING Exploring AI's Impact on Creativity, Storytelling, and Visual Media

08-21-2025 08:44 AM CET | Arts & Culture

Press release from: Stevens Institute of Technology

Synthetic Narratives AI / XR + THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING

Synthetic Narratives AI / XR + THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING

Hoboken, NJ - October 24-25, 2025 - The Synthetic Narratives Conference at Stevens Institute of Technology is a two-day exploration of AI's transformative role in media, storytelling, and visual culture. The conference brings together leading artists, technologists, and scholars through panels, exhibitions, AI short film screenings, and a keynote by philosopher and cognitive scientist David Chalmers.

Website https://syntheticnarratives.com/
Location: 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken NJ 07030 LINK

Conference Highlights

Friday, Oct 24 (Open to Public): Machine Cinema GenJam, Exhibition Opening, and AI Short Film Screening.

Saturday, Oct 25 (Ticketed): Panels on AI Filmmaking, AI & Immersive Media, Post-Photography, and Truth & Trust; keynote presentation by David Chalmers; reception; ongoing art exhibition.



October 25th Conference Day Ticketed

Keynote Speaker

David Chalmers - Philosopher and cognitive scientist, Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science at NYU, co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness. Known for formulating the "hard problem of consciousness" and popularizing the philosophical zombie thought experiment. Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-founder of PhilPapers.



Panels & Panelists

AI Filmmaking Panel

The AI Filmmaking Panel will explore how AI tools are reshaping screenwriting, editing, directing, and audience engagement in contemporary cinematic storytelling. The panel features Luca Martinelli, whose work in theater and cinema examines storytelling as a philosophical exploration of subjective human interpretation; Michaela A. Ternasky-Holland, a Peabody-nominated and Emmy-winning director recognized for her work with immersive and interactive storytelling and as one of the first directors to create a short film using OpenAI's SORA platform; Angela Ferraiolo, a computational artist whose pioneering algorithmic films and work in AI-driven narrative design have been screened internationally, and who serves as co-chair of visual and studio arts at Sarah Lawrence College; and Jagger Waters, a narrative storyteller merging AI with film, XR/VR, and immersive theater, who currently serves as Director of Programming at escape.ai. Christopher Manzione chairs the panel; he is an American artist and Assistant Professor in Visual Arts and Technology at Stevens Institute of Technology, specializing in virtual and augmented reality, sculpture, installation, and new media art.

AI & Immersive Media Panel

The AI & Immersive Media Panel will examine how generative AI is transforming spatial computing, VR/AR, and experiential design. Panelists include Winslow Porter, an award-winning director and creative technologist whose multisensory VR and immersive installations have been showcased globally; Kat Mustatea, a transmedia playwright and artist exploring AI, language, and computational performance; Marc Da Costa, an artist and anthropologist investigating how technology shapes human experience; Matthew Niederhauser, an artist and educator pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling using AI and XR technologies; and Camille Jeanjean, New Media Officer at Villa Albertine, supporting XR, podcast, and multimedia projects. Danielle McPhatter chairs the panel; she is a Creative Technologist at EY and an artist working across XR, IoT, hybrid experiences, and interactive systems.



Post-Photography Panel

The Post-Photography Panel will explore how AI-generated imagery is redefining our understanding of authenticity, aesthetics, and the evolving visual language of the image. Panelists include Thiago Hersan, an artist and educator developing tools for analyzing public media archives; Natasha Chuk, PhD, a media theorist and curator examining the intersection of art, philosophy, and creative technologies; Micaelle Lages, a multimedia artist and researcher investigating the convergence of art, technology, and storytelling; Isabella Valle, a photographer and tenured professor researching technical images, gender, and visual culture; and Michael Whitham and Aidan Larned, writers and creatives exploring visual language, cultural trends, and identity within AI-driven media. Jonah King chairs the panel; he is an Irish media artist and Assistant Professor of Interactive Digital Media at Stevens Institute of Technology, creating immersive installations and VR experiences that explore identity, intimacy, and ecological themes.



Truth & Trust Panel

The Truth & Trust Panel will investigate the ethical, epistemological, and societal implications of synthetic media, including deepfakes, misinformation, and algorithmic authority. Panelists include Avital Meshi, a new media and performance artist exploring AI's influence on human identity and social interaction; Christopher Meerdo, an artist and researcher working with encrypted imagery, data archives, and synthetic media; Dr. Emily L. Spratt, an arts and technology academic examining ethical and philosophical consequences of AI in art and architecture; and Fred Grinstein, a creative executive and AI strategist bridging traditional media production and emergent AI technologies. Ruby Thelot chairs the panel; she is a designer, cyberethnographer, and researcher at NYU focusing on human-AI interaction and digital metaverse experiences.

Panel Format
Panel format Each panelist will present for 8 minutes, sharing their ideas, creative experiments, and perspectives in AI, media, and storytelling. After the presentations, the panel chair will guide a 20-minute conversation, sparking lively discussion, debate, and audience engagement. This format blends thought-provoking presentations with dynamic dialogue, giving attendees a front-row seat to the evolving impact of AI.

October 24th Events Open to the Public

Machine Cinema GenJam

A high-energy AI creativity jam where participants form teams to tackle a unified challenge-whether it's generating short films, music videos, or other creative content using AI tools. GenJam emphasizes co-creation, skill-sharing, and education, offering a hands-on experience with the latest AI storytelling technologies. Expect collaboration, rapid prototyping, and networking, making it a perfect space for both beginners and experts to explore AI-generated creativity. Link to registration will be posted to conference's main website.

AI Short Film Screening

A two-hour juried showcase of submitted short films created with AI tools. This program celebrates innovation in synthetic cinema, offering audiences a glimpse into emerging practices in AI filmmaking while providing a platform for creators to share their work with peers and industry experts.

Art Exhibition

Featuring works by Nejc Trampu, Meredith Drum, Thiago Hersan, Mat Rappaport, Leon Butler, Allison Berkoy, Peter Burr, Jazzlyn, Avinash Kumar, Eva Davidova, Tansy Xiao, and Linda Curtin & David Keating.



Schedule Summary

Friday, October 24 - Open to Public

1:00-5:00 PM | Machine Cinema GenJam | TechFlex

5:30-8:30 PM | Exhibition Opening | UCC Gallery

6:30-8:30 PM | AI Short Film Screening | TechFlex

Saturday, October 25 - Ticketed

9:00-9:45 AM | Coffee & Conversation | TechFlex

10:00-11:00 AM | AI Filmmaking Panel | TechFlex

11:30 AM-12:30 PM | AI & Immersive Media Panel | TechFlex

12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch Break | TechFlex (Box lunches provided)

2:00-3:00 PM | Post-Photography Panel | TechFlex

3:30-4:30 PM | Truth & Trust Panel | TechFlex

5:00-6:00 PM | Keynote Presentation by David Chalmers | TechFlex

6:00-7:00 PM | Reception | TechFlex

All Day | Art Exhibition | UCC Gallery



Media Contact:

Synthetic Narratives Conference Committee

cmanzion@stevens.edu & jking8@stevens.edu 201.874.9261 https://syntheticnarratives.com/

Stevens Institute of Tech.
1 Castle Point Terrace

Stevens Institute of Technology is a private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey. Founded in 1870, it is one of the oldest technological universities in the United States and was the first college in America solely dedicated to mechanical engineering.

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