Unlocking the Future: Variety's Entertainment and Technology Summit Explores the Transformative Power of AI and Streaming

Variety's highly anticipated Entertainment and Technology Summit on September 26th promises to be a captivating exploration of the profound impact that advancing technology is having on the entertainment industry. Hosted at The London West Hollywood and presented by City National Bank, this one-day event will feature an impressive lineup of industry leaders who will delve into the ways in which cutting-edge innovations are reshaping the realms of TV, film, gaming, music, digital media, and consumer brands.

Harnessing the Genie of Generative AI

Generative AI: Unleashing Creativity's Next Frontier

The summit's agenda will feature a panel titled "Generative AI – Succeeding With the Genie Out of the Bottle," led by Eli Collins, the Vice President of Product Management at Google DeepMind. Collins will provide valuable insights into how breakthroughs in Transformer technology have laid the foundation for the current Generative AI boom, which is transforming the way we create and consume content across various mediums. Collins envisions a future where AI tools will serve as creative collaborators, seamlessly adapting to the viewer's mood and preferences. "We're going to see AI tools that serve as a creative collaborator…imagine a film that adapts its tone and pacing to match your mood, or a music playlist that evolves with your tastes throughout the day," he explains. The ubiquity of video cameras in our daily lives also opens up new storytelling possibilities, as AI empowers us to transform our captured footage in ways we've never imagined.

Redefining the Streaming Landscape

The summit will also feature a panel on "Perfecting the Business of Streaming," led by Annie Luo, the Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships and Strategic Development at Peacock. Luo's team has been at the forefront of launching innovative partnerships, such as Peacock's deals with Instacart and JetBlue, which have helped the streamer expand its reach and diversify its offerings.Luo will also discuss Peacock's foray into the virtual and mixed reality space, highlighting the streamer's multiyear deal with Meta. "A growing area of the creative business we are leaning into is virtual and mixed reality with partners like Meta," Luo says. "We have a multiyear deal that brings Peacock and iconic NBCUniversal IP into a variety of Meta's Reality Labs surfaces, including Horizon Worlds and Mera Quest headsets. This allows for us to innovate around our IP and bring in new, younger audiences."

Podcasting's Evolving Landscape

The "Podcast All-Stars" panel will feature former "Modern Family" star and host of "Dinner's on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson," who will share his insights on how he engages with his podcast audience. Ferguson emphasizes the importance of leveraging social media to highlight the personal connection between the host and the guests, allowing listeners to visually experience the dynamic conversations that unfold.

Visionary Leaders Shaping the Future

The summit's keynote speakers, Warner Bros. TV topper Channing Dungey and DC Studios' Peter Safran, will provide an insider's perspective on the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, driven by the rapid advancements in technology. Additionally, the "Entertainment Content Visionaries" panel will feature industry luminaries such as Pinterest CCO Malik Ducard and NBCUniversal president, scripted Lisa Katz, who will outline new strategies for creating content that resonates with audiences in meaningful ways.

Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape

The summit will also delve into the financial and operational challenges faced by entertainment companies in the "Advancing Financial Operations in an Uncertain Media Marketplace" panel, led by Erin Oremland, the General Manager of AgilLink and SVP, Head of Ecosystem Delivery. Oremland will share insights on how companies are adapting their infrastructure to thrive in the ever-changing media landscape.The "Power Couple: Entrepreneurship + Entertainment" panel will explore how industry leaders are working to drive growth through innovative ideas, while the "Expedia Group Brands: Empowering Digital Creators and Commerce" panel will highlight a groundbreaking initiative in the travel industry, featuring a collaboration between Expedia Group and influencer Caroline Baudino.

Mastering Storytelling Across Platforms

In the "Marketer Renaissance – Masters of Storytelling Across Platforms" panel, industry leaders will share their strategies for crafting impactful narratives that resonate across diverse platforms, including outdoor, online, TV, print, and merchandise.The summit will also address the transformative impact of mergers and acquisitions in the entertainment and gaming industries, with Tim O'Brien, the Chief Revenue Officer of Scopely, leading the "Game Changing Deals" panel. This will be followed by the "Building Cultural Bridges in the Global Streaming Entertainment Era" panel, where Amazon leaders will discuss how the streaming media landscape can serve as a conduit for diversifying audience reach and building equity.With a diverse lineup of industry luminaries and a focus on the most pressing issues and innovations shaping the entertainment landscape, Variety's Entertainment and Technology Summit promises to be a must-attend event for anyone seeking to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving industry.