ATLANTA — Conversations about artificial intelligence, artistic inspiration, and Atlanta’s growing role as a hub for creative innovation took center stage during the 2025 Atlanta Art Fair, held Sept. 25–28.

On Sunday, Sept. 28, Georgia Tech Arts hosted a panel discussion moderated by Birney Robert, External Engagement Strategist and Curator for Georgia Tech Arts, that explored the intersections of art, technology, and the future of creative industries. Panelists addressed wide-ranging topics, from industry strikes to building ethical frameworks around AI and its use in creative writing.

The panel featured Floyd Hall, Arts Leader and Curator; Kathleen Brown, Public Art Education Coordinator at Fulton County Arts & Culture; Lisa Marks, Associate Professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Industrial Design; and Orlando Kenny, musician, technologist, and master’s student in music technology at Georgia Tech. Together, they explored how artists and institutions are using advanced technologies to create immersive experiences and how these innovations are redefining education, accessibility, and community engagement in the arts.

Audience members asked who inspired the panelists, sparking reflections on both historical and contemporary figures. Names ranged from poet and painter William Blake to influential cultural leaders such as Pharrell Williams, Virgil Abloh, Fab 5 Freddy, and Tabita Rezaire. Panelists also highlighted inspiration from earlier movements and organizations, including New York-based artists involved with Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) and Los Angeles’ now-defunct Machine Project workshops.

Speakers emphasized that Atlanta is uniquely positioned to lead in art and technology innovation, describing the city as the ideal home for a “Creative Quarter.” They also noted the launch of Georgia Tech’s new Bachelor of Science in Arts, Entertainment, and Creative Technologies program as an example of how education and diverse disciplines can drive forward the future of creative industries.

During Atlanta Art Fair week, the Goat Farm, a cultural partner of the Atlanta Art Fair, hosted SITE on Sept. 27—an installation featuring Georgia Tech affiliates Michael Stradley, Katie Soule, Ryan Clark, Hyojin Kwon, Olamma Oparah, Heidi Biggs, and Alexandria Smith. The event also included Dr. Francesco Fedele, Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his artistic team presenting The Missing Algorithm, a multimedia dance performance and art exhibition exploring the tension between artificial intelligence and embodied human experience. The SITE installation highlighted the collaborative and citywide spirit of Atlanta Art Fair week.

Another highlight was BIKES, a collaborative project funded by a Catalyst grant and presented by Henrik von Coler, Laura Sofia Call Gomez, Shirin Sathe, Jayson Faupel, Jacob Westerstahl, Ishaan Jagyasi, and Orlando Kenny.

From AI ethics to creative legacies, this year’s Atlanta Art Fair reflected how technology and artistry continue to converge.