What's your research background, Marianna?
My background is in economics. My current research focuses on how new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain – specifically non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – are transforming entrepreneurial strategies in the creative industries, particularly the music industry.
Tell us about your involvement in Una-Her-Doc's Transnational Research Team (TRT) 2?
I'm the research assistant with TRT2. TRT2 is focused on heritage and society's digitalisation, so it perfectly aligns with my research focus.
I got involved in TRT2 because it's a great opportunity to understand emerging technologies and how they can shape the digital transformation across sectors in creative industries. As the research assistant, I'm investigating the organisational and managerial aspects of digital transformation in heritage and creative industries. It's allowed me to explore different methodologies, theories and expert points of view in interdisciplinary fields.
As an interdisciplinary team, we’re exploring how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the metaverse and more can preserve and share heritage in more inclusive and accessible ways. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that has real impact.
What opportunities has TRT2 opened up for you as an early-career researcher?
It's been a great opportunity to enrich both my professional and personal goals. For example, last summer I took part in the Una Europa Summer School in Artificial Intelligence and Creativity, which took place over four days in Bertinoro, Italy.
The final workshop seminar was led by an entrepreneur, Loreto Parisi, Artificial Intelligence Engineering Director at Musixmatch, a company that uses music metadata to enhance customer experience. It was really useful for me to learn about a real example of how emerging technology and user interactions influence cultural and creative industries.
What are your career goals after you complete your PhD?
My aspirations after completing my PhD are to grow in the academic field and contribute to the literature in the field of research on entrepreneurship strategies, innovation and management of cultural heritage and creative industries, with special interest in digital transformation. I hope that in the near future, my research can inspire others and provide a clearer vision and perspective to practitioners to improve the efficiency of implementing strategies in creative industries that enable entrepreneurs to innovate and create a sustainable businesses.
