MODINA presentation: Use of AI and audience interactions in dance

As part of the extra program of the MODINA showcase, we invite you to a presentation by Nuno Correia, MODINA coordinator, about the possibilities of technology in contemporary dance. Specifically, Nuno will discuss how MODINA artists are using Artificial Intelligence and Audience Interaction in dance. The presentation is based on the following academic articles:

Best Practices for Technology – Mediated Audience Interaction in Dance Performances 

Artists have been progressively blurring the boundaries between audience and performer, particularly in technology-mediated performing arts. However, there is scarce literature systematising these approaches in the field of dance. This leads to our research question: What are the challenges with audience interaction in technology-mediated dance performances and what can be done to overcome them? To answer this question, we ran a focus group with 10 artists in the field of contemporary dance, with relevant and diverse experience. The analysis of the focus group allowed us to propose best practices for the design of audience interaction in technology-mediated dance performances. We also discuss these recommendations in light of existing literature.

Correia, N. N., & Primett, W. (2024). Best Practices for Technology-Mediated Audience Interaction in Dance Performances. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Movement and Computing, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1145/3658852.3659083

Understanding the Use of AI in Contemporary Dance: Perspectives from Practitioners

There is a growing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) across different creative fields, including dance. Given the challenges in implementing real-time AI solutions for dance, adoption of AI has been slower in dance compared to other creative fields. There is a lack of studies involving different dance practitioners (particularly dancers and media artists) regarding how they use AI in contemporary dance. This leads to our research question: how do dancers, and media artists working in dance, view AI and its use in contemporary dance? To answer this, we conducted a  focus group session with ten artists, who specialize in dance and media art, all of whom had experience using AI in contemporary dance. The thematic analysis of the focus group transcription revealed how dancers and media artists working in dance perceive AI and its applications in contemporary dance. Additionally, this analysis allowed us to identify recommendations for the use of AI in contemporary dance.

Correia, N. N., & Primett, W. (2025). Understanding the Use of AI in Contemporary Dance: Perspectives from Practitioners. 12th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts: Media Art Cultures, Communities & Territories (ARTECH 2025). Pre-print link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398122628_Understanding_the_Use_of_AI_in_Contemporary_Dance_Perspectives_from_Practitioners

Nuno N. Correia is an Associate Professor in Digital Transformation at Tallinn University. Since 2000, he has been teaching and conducting research in media art and interaction design, in several universities internationally (such as Aalto University, Goldsmiths, University of Greenwich, University of Madeira). He holds a PhD in Art and Design in New Media, from Aalto University, with the thesis ‘Interactive Audiovisual Objects’ (2013). Nuno is also an associated researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute (University of Lisbon). He has led several research projects combining sound, image, embodiment and interaction design, including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship and two Creative Europe projects. Previously, he worked at the design consultancy Fjord (now Accenture Song). Nuno has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, in top Human-Computer Interaction conferences such as CHI, DIS and TEI; in audio venues such as NIME, SMC and Audio Mostly; and media art conferences such as ISEA, ICLI and ARTECH.