As 2023 comes to a close, Leanne Tomlin, Director of Marketing (EMEA) at Perifery gathered a panel of experts to reflect on the notable trends of 2023 and share predictions for the year ahead in 2024.
In the latest episode of the Tech Talk podcast, Leanne was joined by Perifery’s Sales Director, Tina Spinello, Business Development Manager, David Fabrizio, and SVP of Product and Technology, Jonathan Morgan.
AI Domination in 2023
Leanne kicked things off with the unavoidable topic of artificial intelligence. Citing that Collins Dictionary had declared ‘AI' the word of the year for 2023, Leanne asked the panel to share their thoughts on how the technological revolution has impacted media and entertainment.
Emphasizing the ubiquitous presence of AI in various aspects, Jonathan said, “whether it’s because of the [writer] strikes, whether it's just the multitude of ways it can be used, whether it's in creation of media, whether it's in metadata tagging, whether it's in AI ops, it just seems to be everywhere.”
Tina acknowledged the positive impact AI has had on increasing efficiency in content production, but also highlighted concerns around digital likeness and replication. David agreed that are legitimate concerns on the creative and talent side of things but also stated that there are clear benefits in automating technical operations, such as transcoding and transcription services.
The panel agreed that there is a need for a balance between embracing AI for efficiency and preserving the human creative element. Jonathan added that despite there being challenges in getting the balance right, it inevitable that AI technology will continue to be embraced. David added that there is still a way to go before it is fully embraced.
Leanne then asked the panel to share any examples of how AI had transformed the industry in 2023. Tina pointed to the profound impact that the writer and actor strikes had on the entire industry. David emphasizes the efficiency and quality improvements brought by AI, especially in post-production workflows. The panel also discussed the evolution of AI’s capabilities in terms of natural language translation, asset search, and workflow automation.
Transition to On-Prem Solutions
Moving the conversation on, Leanne noted that the industry was seeing a rise in media companies shifting from public cloud to on premise solutions. She asked the panel to share their thoughts on why this was happening.
Jonathan highlighted the economic factors, such as egress fees, as a driving force behind this transition away from the cloud. He explained that every time cloud-based content was accessed or run through an AI-algorithm, fees were generated. In contrast, archives and media libraries stored on-prem could be accessed multiple times, quickly and efficiently, without incurring any charges. David added that on-premise solutions, beyond economic considerations, offer quicker access to data, crucial for post-production workflows where immediacy is essential.
Recognizing that there is no one size fits all approach, the panel emphasized the importance of choosing the right solution based on individual needs and preferences. Tina commented, “as this technology grows faster and faster every day, it's important to understand that it's really about the flexibility and the choice.”
Trends Expected in 2024
Looking ahead, Leanne asked the panel for their predictions on the dominating trends in 2024. Tina noted that the M&E sector will continue to see a knock-on effect from the writers' strike. David anticipates a focus on automating transcription capabilities, while Jonathan suggests the concept of edge technology will play a more significant role in certain aspects of media production. David highlighted how Perifery can help with the growing demand of getting content from the edge to the core.
Leanne concluded, “AI continues to be a driving force in reshaping the media landscape, and I'm certainly excited to see what 2024 brings us.”
Replay the podcast in full here.
Perifery is at the forefront in data storage, edge technology, and AI innovation. To learn how Perifery can help with your content and data needs in the months ahead, get in touch.
