TVBEurope catches up with IBC CEO Mike Crimp to discuss plans for this year’s show, the rise of artificial intelligence, and how the organisation is helping to find the next generation of talent
What are the key themes of IBC2024, and why have you chosen them?
We have three core themes which form a thread that runs through all aspects of IBC2024, including the IBC Conference, the show floor theatres, new show features and partner initiatives taking place at the RAI. These are Transformative Technology, Shifting Business Models, and People and Purpose.
We’ve kept these key pillars in place to maintain a structure and help visitors navigate their show experience, with each theme representing a critical focus area for the industry. Transformative technology has always been at the core of IBC and is exemplified by the innovation on display across our exhibition halls and through the IBC Innovation Awards, Technical Papers Programme, and the Accelerator Media Innovation Programme. Similarly, IBC has always championed industry evolution as the media technology sector has had to adapt amid changing consumer behaviours, new ways of working, and challenging economic conditions – making Shifting Business Models an essential theme that impacts every conversation at the show. The People and Purpose pillar is just as pivotal, enabling the entire IBC community to play an active role in positive change, including attracting and retaining the next generation of talent and fostering skills development, improving sustainability, and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.
This year’s show features a brand new AI Tech Zone. Why did you choose to highlight AI in that way?
AI is everywhere in the industry– and indeed the show this year – and is demonstrating hugely exciting potential in media and entertainment. As AI rapidly evolves and technology pioneers and media companies move beyond the experimentation stages to real-world applications, we are providing a central hub to showcase how AI is impacting our sector’s future. We know that media brands and tech providers are looking to step beyond hype cycles and talk about real, proven use cases. The AI Tech Zone is where they can go to understand how to make this happen.
What can attendees expect to see in the AI Tech Zone?
The AI Tech Zone, powered by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), and will act as a focal point for AI providers, content creators and solution vendors showcasing how AI can meet specific industry needs. On the AI Tech Zone Stage, its sponsor, Wasabi Technologies, will lead a session called Intelligent Cloud Storage: The freedom to accelerate media workflows and create new fan experiences – looking at how advanced AI algorithms automatically tag content libraries with rich metadata for a range of uses. Then over at the AI Networking Zone, sponsored by DOT Group, the media and entertainment community can connect and engage around AI issues and meet some of the most innovative players championing AI in media.
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Tell us more about the AI Media Production Lab, which is a first for IBC. What’s it all about and why did you decide to launch it?
Alongside showcasing new products and pioneering AI thought leaders at IBC2024, we want to play an active role in fueling its development via our hugely successful Accelerator Media Innovation Programme. The AI Media Production Lab project covers three project streams — Generative AI in Action, AI Audience Validation Assistant, and Changing the Game: Predictive Generative AI — which set out to pioneer new, real-world use cases of AI within media production. The aims include improving creativity in storytelling, deepening audience engagement, and harnessing real-time predictive analytics to personalise live sports viewing. The projects are being powered by world-leading innovators including Verizon, the RAI, ITV, and Vodafone, among many others. All of our Accelerator projects will be showcased at the Accelerator Zone and on the Innovation Stage at IBC2024 – I’d encourage all show visitors to make sure they stop by!
The immersive tech space has expanded into two halls this year. How will that be reflected in the Conference programme?
Immersive tech is one of six essential topics covered in the content programme at IBC2024, with Conference sessions from industry leaders including, How are games impacting the media ecosystem? and What does human-machine collaboration mean for the future of content and creativity? These sessions will cover the evolution of immersive technologies like AR, VR, and metaverse while exploring cutting-edge interactive content experiences of the future.
The Talent Programme takes place on the Monday of the show. How can IBC help encourage the next generation of media technologists to enter the industry as well as keep those already there?
Fostering new talent and creating an inclusive work culture is critical to our industry. The new IBC Talent Programme aims to examine the benefits of partnerships and mentoring, best practices for promoting the industry to the next generation of media professionals, nurturing talent, and driving engagement with M&E companies. Contributing to the conversation about the development of talent and a more diverse and inclusive industry will be other partner groups, including RISE and RISE Academy, #GALSNGEAR, Women in Immersive Tech, Women in Streaming Media, HBS, SMPTE, RTS and Final Pixel Academy — along with the new Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto’s inaugural global flagship event for skills, diversity, and education, the World Skills Café, being held at the RAI on the eve of IBC2024.
What do you hope attendees and exhibitors will take away from IBC2024?
Attending IBC2024 is an opportunity for attendees and exhibitors alike to play an active role in redefining the future of media technology, and experience new innovations coming to life. Business models and consumer trends are evolving at breakneck speed — IBC2024 is the place to be if you want to stay ahead of the curve and seize new opportunities.
Please sum up IBC2024 in three words.
Innovation, impact, community.
