SYNTHETIC NARRATIVES
AI / XR + THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING
October 24-25 2025
Stevens Institute of Technology
Generative AI and immersive technologies are transforming the way we create, experience, and understand stories.
This two-day symposium brings together leading artists, technologists, and thinkers to explore the cultural, philosophical, and creative potentials of this rapidly evolving field.
This two-day symposium brings together leading artists, technologists, and thinkers to explore the cultural, philosophical, and creative potentials of this rapidly evolving field.
World-famous philosopher David Chalmers of NYU will give a talk based on his influential book Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy. Among other questions, Chalmers will ponder what the acclaimed Apple TV show "Severance" teaches us about large language models like ChatGPT.
David Chalmers is a philosopher and cognitive scientist specialising in the philosophy of mind and language. He is Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science at New York University, where he also co-directs the Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness.
Chalmers is best known for formulating the “hard problem of consciousness” and for popularising the philosophical zombie thought experiment.
David Chalmers is a philosopher and cognitive scientist specialising in the philosophy of mind and language. He is Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science at New York University, where he also co-directs the Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness.
Chalmers is best known for formulating the “hard problem of consciousness” and for popularising the philosophical zombie thought experiment.
Beast of Peace – Steven Hernandez
HOME – Ezra Li
Gentle – Alex Naghavi
The Mars Novella – Carmen Gloria Pérez
Silent Seed 2050 – Nasser Farshad
The Ribbon – Ryan Patterson
The Wall – Olly Blackburn
Furor Agendi – Wilson Stiner
Entre deux souffle – Zoubeir JLASSI
Goodbye Body – Aisling Phelan
Imagos – Brogan Wassell
Rooted in Code – Nejc Trampuž
You're Very Special – u2p050
Unit-E – Alien Fluxus
Language is Leaving Me – Ellen Pearlman
ECHOLESS – Leon Krykhtin
Cryptic Lineages – Laura Splan
Judging Panel: Tiffani Joseph, Jonah King, Christopher Manzione, Justin Suarez, Julio Soler, Metapuppet, Allan Title
Friday, Oct 24 — Open to Public
1:00–5:00 PM
5:30–8:30 PM
6:30–8:30 PM
5:30–8:30 PM
6:30–8:30 PM
ARTWORK SHOWCASE OPENING
AI SHORT FILM SCREENING
TechFlex
UCC Gallery
TechFlex
UCC Gallery
TechFlex
Saturday, Oct 25 — Ticketed
9:00–9:45 AM
TechFlex
10:00–11:00 AM
Michaela Ternasky-Holland · Angela Ferraiolo · Lucien Harriot
Kiran Malhotra · Chair: Christopher Manzione
How AI tools are reshaping screenwriting, editing, directing, and audience engagement in contemporary cinematic storytelling
TechFlex
11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Alan Winslow · Camille JeanJean · Kat Mustatea
Matthew Niederhauser · Chair: Danielle McPhatter
How generative AI is changing the landscape of spatial computing, VR/AR, and experiential design
TechFlex
12:30–1:30 PM
Box luches will be provided
TechFlex
2:00–3:00 PM
Michael Whitham + Aidan Larned · Isabella Valle · Micaelle Lages · Natasha Chuk · Thiago Hersan · Chair: Jonah King
How AI-generated imagery is changing our understanding of authenticity, aesthetics, and the evolving visual language of the image
TechFlex
3:30–4:30 PM
Avital Meshi · Christopher Meerdo + David Rueter + Marissa Lee Benedict · Emily Spratt · Fred Grinstein · Chair: Camila Galaz
How synthetic media: deepfakes, misinformation, and algorithmic authority are changing ethical standards, epistemological frameworks, and societal trust
TechFlex
5:00–6:00 PM
TechFlex
6:00–7:00 PM
The Ainsworth
Open all day
UCC Gallery
1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, NJ
Stevens School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is dedicated to tech-powered teaching, research and creativity. Through inquiry and practice, our students and faculty bring critical, ethical, and historically informed perspectives to bear on questions of knowledge, society and technology.
Stevens School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is dedicated to tech-powered teaching, research and creativity. Through inquiry and practice, our students and faculty bring critical, ethical, and historically informed perspectives to bear on questions of knowledge, society and technology.