Nicola Privato is an Italian artist and scholar working at the intersection of technology and the humanities, with a former education in electronic music composition, Jazz improvisation and linguistics. Nicola is currently living in Reykjavík, Iceland, and conducting his research at the Intelligent Instruments Lab investigating the cultural and social implications of this novel technology through musical instrument design and performative practice. Nicola's performances, participatory installations and original musical instruments focussing on tactility and playfullness have been presented and awarded, among others, at Ars Electronica (AT), the UK Textile Biennial, IRCAM, Harvard (US), and SDUK (CA). His instrument Thales is one of the winners of the 2024 Guthman Instrument Competition (US).