LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts recently hosted “Leveraging Innovation: Teaching and Creating in the Age of Technology,” a panel that explored ways technology is transforming the capacity for creativity in education and human connection.
Three panelists offered distinct visions of different technological innovations that can help deepen human experience – from turning touch to sound with the Playtronica, to creating music with artificial intelligence, to creating virtual therapeutic spaces in VR. This event showcased the college’s commitment to exploring technology – not to replace human talents, but to enhance them within the arts and education.
Stacey Cabaj, associate professor and chair of Theatre Arts, started the discussion with her presentation, “The Sound of Touch: Adventures in Technological Synesthesia.” She explored pedagogical applications of Playtronica; a technological device that turns physical touch into sound, explaining how its sensory possibilities are endless. “Technology is not usually my area of research,” Cabaj said. “I’m really interested in the live, unmediated presence in performance…the being with each other matters to me deeply,” she continued. Cabaj began researching Playtronica during the pandemic, to reconnect with the sensation of touch as our world evolves into the digital age. She showcased videos demonstrating how dancers and performers can create musical symphonies through contact and pressure.
David S. Carter, assistant professor of music, presented, “AI: Pedagogical Considerations,” which addressed the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence in music education. “We’re at a point where AI can separate instruments from a track, generate music from a single prompt, and even recreate an artist’s voice,” said Carter. He asked: Have you ever wondered if you could change your voice to sound like your favorite music artist? And he demonstrated musical deepfakes through an AI-powered tool that made his voice recording sound like the music artist Grimes. It is also possible to AI-generate songs created through platforms such as Suno. “The question is, how do we teach students to use it responsibly?” Carter asked. He encouraged students to explore AI creatively whilst being cautious of the potential overreliance, as a reminder that the tools should act as an enhancement, not a replacement.
The closing presentation was by Joyce Yip Green, assistant professor of marital and family therapy/ art therapy. In “Beyond Zoom: Achieving Immersive Cross-Cultural Engagement,” Yip Green showcased how she integrated virtual reality into art therapy education. This was made possible by using the program Engage. Yip Green had her students meet in shared VR spaces to create virtual therapeutic spaces. “With VR, my students could step into a shared space, build art together, and even design therapy environments. It brought back a sense of presence and play that Zoom couldn’t provide,” said Yip Green. Despite the learning curve involved, she emphasized how VR can help foster an individual’s creativity, connection with others, and share therapeutic explorations despite distance.
“This panel is the third event in a series that focuses on the implications of AI, VR, and other technological tools, for human creativity and creative labor. In Spring 2026 LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts will feature a fourth panel, to continue the conservation and incorporate additional disciplinary fields,” Associate Dean Michele Hammers said.
