Art Technologist & Educator
for an equitable future
:: Julius Yls ::
Julius Yls is an educator, researcher, and creative technologist with over two decades of international experience at the intersection of emerging media, digital education, and art–technology innovation. His career spans higher education, commercial installations, and tech startups, bridging practice and research across Asia, Europe, and the Pacific.
He is currently based in Xiamen, China, teaching in the Digital Media Arts program at Institute of Creativity and Innovation under the UK–China collaboration between the University for the Creative Arts and Xiamen University. Alongside academic teaching, he continues to lead independent initiatives in AI consultancy, spatial computing, and cross-cultural creative technology.
Julius has played a critical role in the early-stage development of several emerging technology startups, focusing on the integration of AI, Web3, and immersive environments into educational and cultural applications. His work has helped shape foundational strategies, prototype experiences, and cross-disciplinary narratives that bridge digital innovation with real-world impact.
He has presented his research and workshops globally, including at ISEA, SIGGRAPH, CADE and Transmediale, with a focus on AI personhood, spatial storytelling, and interactive installation. Through projects like 13Collections and The Living Archive, he continues to explore how art, AI, and emerging technologies can shape more equitable and culturally resonant futures.
Personal works & Research
Navigating the Digital Shift: The Future of Art Markets in the Era of Virtual Events.
9th International Workshop on Researching Art Markets past & present: Tools for the future (RAM-T). October 23-24, 2024. School of Culture & Creative Arts, University of Glasgow, UK.
My research paper, co-written with Silvia Valentino, explores the digital shift in the art market, analyzing the impact of virtual events on arts market structures and engagement strategies.
Integrating Krashen’s Theories with Emerging Technologies in ESL Learning: A Pathway to Innovation.
6th International Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Education (WAIE 2024). September 29-30, 2024. Tokyo, Japan. [Best Presentation Award]
My research paper, co-written with Vincent Hai Lin. The paper examines the integration of Krashen’s language acquisition theories with emerging technologies, offering innovative pathways for enhancing ESL learning through AI-driven solutions.
GenAI for Educators: Core Concept & Sustainability Practices.
Workshop at Nanyang Academy Fine Arts (NAFA) - University of the Arts Singapore (UAS). August 2024. Singapore.
I conducted a workshop, GenAI for Educators: Core Concepts & Sustainability Practices, at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore. The session provided educators with essential insights into integrating Generative AI into teaching while addressing sustainable and ethical considerations in digital education.
Integrating Krashen’s Theories with Emerging Technologies in ESL Learning: A Pathway to Innovation.
5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education Technology (AIET 2024). July 29-31, 2024. The University of Barcelona, Spain.
Navigating New Horizons: Embracing NFTs and the Metaverse in Photographic Artistry.
Online talk for Lumenvisum 光影作坊 Hong Kong Photobook Festival. 8 July 2023.
My online talk, delivered for Lumenvisum at the Hong Kong Photobook Festival, explored the evolving role of NFTs and the Metaverse in photographic artistry. The session examined how blockchain technology and virtual spaces are reshaping creative ownership, audience engagement, and artistic expression in the digital age.
The future of photography in the world of NFT, Metaverse, and AI
Keynote Speaker. EXCELENS Awards 2023 at Theatre of Digital Arts (TODA) - Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. March 2023.
I delivered a virtual keynote at the EXCELENS Awards 2023, held at the Theatre of Digital Arts (TODA) in Dubai. My talk explored the evolving landscape of photography in the age of NFTs, the Metaverse, and AI, highlighting how these technologies are reshaping artistic creation, ownership, and audience engagement.
Objects in Air: Artworks and their Outside around 1900.
Author: Christian Margareta Ingrid, published 2022-The University of Chicago Press.
My photography work, Interesting Moment, was featured, which the book won the 2024 Gordon J. Laing Award, the University of Chicago Press’s highest honor.
"My Kind of Lifestyle"
Next-Image Award & Paris Photo 2019. 7-10 November 2019, Grand Palais Paris, France.
My photography work, "My Kind of Lifestyle", was showcased at Paris Photo 2019 as part of the Huawei Next-Image Award exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. The series explores visual narratives of contemporary living, blending everyday moments with artistic abstraction to redefine lifestyle photography.
Norway in The 50mm Frameline
Viewfinder, The Quarterly Journal of LHSA International Leica Society USA. Volume 52, Issue 1, June 2019.
My photography article, Norway in The 50mm Frameline, was published in Viewfinder, the quarterly journal of the LHSA International Leica Society USA. The article explores the visual storytelling potential of the 50mm lens in capturing the landscapes and atmosphere of Norway.
Interesting Moment
Winner 2nd Place, People Category. National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. August 2017.
My photograph, Interesting Moment, won 2nd place in the People Category of the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year 2017. Capturing an unexpected yet harmonious interaction between art and its audience, the image reflects my approach to storytelling through candid, observational photography.
