CES 2025, set to take place in Las Vegas from January 7 to 10, is expected to draw approximately 140,000 attendees eager to explore 2.5 million square feet of exhibits showcasing a wide range of innovations across various sectors, including technology and entertainment. Among the highlights of this year's event is the Variety Entertainment Summit, scheduled for January 8 at the Aria Resort & Casino.
Jay Tucker, the executive director of the Center for Media, Entertainment and Sports at UCLA Anderson School of Management, shared insights about the Summit’s objective, stating, “The Variety Summit is a great opportunity at CES for people to look ahead.” The Summit will feature panels with a cross-section of executives from leading media and tech firms, including Amazon, Meta, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. Notable figures such as Grammy-winning musician and co-founder of FYI, will.i.am, along with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel and Sony Pictures Entertainment president Ravi Ahuja, are confirmed to participate in discussions centred around future industry trends.
A panel titled “Succeeding With AI and Entertainment” will delve into the integration of artificial intelligence within the entertainment sector. Tucker emphasised the importance of strategic implementation, noting, “If you want artificial intelligence to actually create value, you not only have to figure out the places where it might be helpful, you have to then integrate it in a strategic way.”
The role of AI in entertainment has become a leading topic of conversation, with opinions divided on its potential impact. Melody Hildebrandt, chief technical officer at Fox, voiced caution, suggesting that studios must learn from the past and not rely solely on platforms built by big tech. “We now have some of the best technologists in the world at Hollywood studios, so we don’t need to cede architectural ground entirely,” she stated. Her comments underline the necessity for careful data management in collaborations with AI firms.
The legal landscape surrounding AI remains underdeveloped, posing challenges for both creative professionals and corporations. Tucker remarked on the difficulties of establishing a robust regulatory environment, highlighting that “even if you suppose that every elected official is an expert in AI, it would still be difficult to pass legislation.”
As CES 2025 fast approaches, the convergence of entertainment and technology through AI continues to loom large in discussions, reflecting the industry’s ongoing evolution in response to emerging technologies. The Variety Summit promises to be a significant platform for exploring these advances and their implications for the future of entertainment.
Source: Noah Wire Services