AI Dominates Digital Art Conference Discourse from 2021-2025, Study Finds

A five-year analysis of digital art conference discourse reveals artificial intelligence has become the dominant theme. The study examined six digital art conferences from 2021 through 2025, tracking thematic shifts related to emerging technologies. While immersive technologies including XR and the metaverse maintained stable discussion levels, blockchain and NFT topics remained marginal. AI-related contributions showed a marked increase, particularly after 2022, emerging as the primary focus within these professional gatherings. The research methodology involved analyzing conference discourse across the specified period to trace how technological developments influence artistic conversations. Overall findings indicate AI's significant rise contrasts with the relative stability of other digital art technologies. The study was published on arXiv, a repository for scientific papers. This analysis provides empirical evidence of shifting priorities within the digital art community.