The Epirus XR Center at the forefront of innovation: The two-day conference on Music, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality in Arta was a great success

The two-day conference titled “Music Performance and Emerging Technologies: Interactive Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality as Tools for Scientific Study and Musical Expression,” which took place at the Epirus XR Center – KEEPI, on the Arta Campus of the University of Ioannina.

The event, organized by the Department of Music Studies in collaboration with the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, constituted a significant initiative of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting the dynamic convergence of art, science, and technology.

Of particular significance was the collaboration between the Department of Music Studies and the Epirus XR Center, which demonstrated in practice the potential of combining artistic creation with advanced technological infrastructure. Through this collaboration, a vibrant field of experimentation was created, where musical performance meets virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive systems, opening new avenues for research and artistic expression.

At the heart of the two-day event was the Epirus XR Center, which served not only as a venue but as an active hub of innovation, offering a modern environment where virtual, augmented, and mixed reality are transformed into tools for creation, research, and artistic expression.

The program included academic presentations, keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, workshops, and artistic performances, featuring researchers, artists, and students from Greece and abroad. A highlight was the keynote address by distinguished researcher Frédéric Bevilacqua from IRCAM in Paris, who presented innovative approaches to the relationship between movement and sound.

Interactive presentations and applications that highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, motion sensors, and digital environments in shaping new forms of musical performance held a special place in the program. At the same time, collaborative projects with the Greek National Opera were presented through the “Latano Space” workshop, strengthening the connection between research and contemporary artistic practice.

The large turnout and active participation of the public confirmed the importance of such initiatives for the region, highlighting Arta and Epirus as an emerging hub of innovation, creativity, and digital culture.

Special thanks go to the conference organizer, Mr. Pavlos Antoniadis, for his contribution to the design and implementation of an event of high scientific and artistic caliber.

The successful conclusion of the two-day conference marks the beginning of a dynamic path toward the further development of interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Arta, strengthening the connection between university research, society, and the international creative ecosystem.