While artificial intelligence has been used in AV products such as microphones and PTZ cameras for more than three years, today, there’s hardly an AV product category where AI isn’t impacting. AV companies use AI daily to develop new and further enable traditional solutions. We’re entering uncharted territories. Some solutions allow the programming of graphical user interfaces and control logic code; cameras learn facial identities for more immersive meetings; transcription services can accurately translate multiple languages in real-time; digital signage provides and delivers more targeted information; and so much more. Below are just 25 AV/IT solutions where AI plays a pivotal role in its function. I can’t wait to see what the next six months will bring.  

22Miles’ AI Command

AI Command by 22Miles revolutionizes visual communications management with natural language commands, making creating engaging, user-friendly, and scalable experiences easy. The intuitive chat interface streamlines content editing, simplifying complex tasks within your CMS. With integrated player commands, users can execute functions without navigating complex menus. AI Command’s seamless integration into the 22Miles Content Manager ensures a unified, efficient and familiar customer experience. 22Miles AI Command offers a powerful, conversational AI interface that transforms how organizations interact with, control, and personalize their content across their digital AV ecosystems.

Aurora Multimedia ReAX Core Studio AI

Aurora’s Multimedia’s ReAX Core Studio AI is a professional-grade software for creating graphical user interfaces and control logic code. AI will now allow a programmer to enter in the required parameters, and in seconds JavaScript code will appear for use. This will make programming quicker and easier, and will educate new programmers on how to code for circumstances of varying complexity. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows for easy and flexible design, while enabling rapid duplication and reuse of code blocks. Control programs are published to any ReAX capable control system as a web page. Best of all, ReAX Core Studio is available for free—no purchase fee, registration fee, or certification fee. 

AVer MD120UI

AVer’s MD120UI is highly versatile and explicitly designed for patient monitoring and telemedicine. The MD120UI is equipped with cutting-edge AI technologies that streamline the monitoring process, enabling healthcare providers to remain attentive to patient needs. With its 20X optical zoom and 4K imaging capabilities, coupled with an IR night view function, the MD120UI delivers crystal-clear visuals and 24-hour monitoring with no blind spots. The MD120UI features additional helpful functions, including fast focus speed for seamless patient viewing and embedded microphones, which capture all sounds in the patient room and transmit them to the nursing station in real-time. 

Crestron 1 Beyond Cameras

Newly released 1 Beyond Cameras by Crestron capture everyone in the room clearly. With 1 Beyond PTZ cameras’ broadcast-quality video and optical zoom up to 20x, AV/IT teams can be confident that they are bringing in-room participants closer without losing resolution. The 1 Beyond cameras deliver a premium experience for both in-person and remote participants that matches the level of professionalism required for meeting room discussions, classroom lectures, or auditorium presentations. 1 Beyond cameras work with Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms software to bring a one-touch join experience to your medium and large rooms with clear, crisp, intelligent video.

DTEN Vue Pro Meeting Camera System

DTEN’s Vue Pro Meeting Camera System is a set of side-mount cameras that work in tandem with AI technology to further enhance video coverage, clarity, and convenience for D7X Series All-in-One Video Meeting appliances. Vue Pro 4K cameras can be installed in seconds and are cleverly designed to capture in-room participants at eye level, providing up to four additional cameras to provide eye-to-eye connections for in-room participants to interact with remote colleagues. Additionally, Vue Pro’s 4K camera lens systems utilize advanced, smart-framing AI to identify and dynamically frame participants with crisp headshots, regardless of distance from the front-of-room system.

ENCO enCaption 

ENCO’s fifth-generation, AI-enhanced enCaption is an automated captioning and transcription solution for AV applications. enCaption makes it fast, easy, and cost-effective for AV professionals, and content producers, create transcripts and add closed or open captions to both live and pre-recorded AV content in 45 languages, combining machine learning with advanced speech-to-text conversion and grammatical structure analysis to deliver exceptional accuracy with extremely low latency. enCaption automates open captioning with speed and accuracy for live meetings, presentations, classes/lectures and events.

EPOS IMPACT 700

The IMPACT 700 by EPOS is an on-ear, wired USB headset which uses industry-leading microphone technology to deliver rich, natural sound, no matter the level of background noise.

With a rich feature set powered by second-generation EPOS AI, which runs continually within the headset, the IMPACT 700 is designed to isolate and relay incoming and outgoing voices with complete clarity. IMPACT 700 headsets are carefully crafted with a lightweight design and soft memory foam earpads to deliver unprecedented levels of comfort for extended use. Additionally, to protect users’ hearing from all-day audio exposure, the IMPACT 700 leverages best-in-class passive noise dampening and EPOS ActiveGard, which works to prevent loud spikes of sound and supports noise-at-work compliance.

Insta360 Connect

Insta360’s Connect is an all-in-one, dual-camera video bar designed for small- and medium-sized meeting rooms, delivering exceptional audio and video quality that will transform your meetings. Insta360’s first-ever video bar, Connect, seamlessly blends cutting-edge hardware and AI algorithms to provide an immersive and realistic experience for both in-room and remote participants. Connect boasts a dual 4K camera setup, consisting of a wide-angle camera and a telephoto gimbal camera. The two work seamlessly together, capturing 4K group views and individual close-ups for unparalleled visuals. With a 14-microphone array and a cutting-edge 3A audio algorithm, Connect picks up voices from up to 33 feet away with balanced volume, supreme clarity, and a natural, immersive sound. 

IPEVO Vurbo.ai

IPEVO’s Vurbo.ai is a groundbreaking software that seamlessly integrates with IPEVO hardware products. This innovative pairing promises users a heightened level of functionality and convenience, revolutionizing the user experience. Vurbo.ai introduces a suite of AI-powered tools aimed at optimizing document management on both Windows and Mac platforms. With features including voice-to-text transcription, intelligent summarization, real-time translation, and AI-assisted tasks, Vurbo.ai serves as the ultimate productivity partner, speaking the user’s language in more ways than one. Instantly transforming speech into text and facilitating rapid content comprehension, this revolutionary software empowers users to reclaim up to 90 percent of their workflow time, allowing them to focus on what truly matters.

JVC Professional’s KY-PZ540 Series PTZ Cameras

The multi-award-winning KY-PZ540 and KY-PZ540N PTZ Cameras by JVC Professional are JVC’s first PTZs to incorporate a 40x focal length, and are ideal for large event spaces and instances when the need to zoom in from a distance is essential. The cameras feature JVC’s 4K imager and renowned Variable Scan Mapping technology, which dynamically scans the 4K sensor to produce a seamless and lossless image transition up to 40x in full-resolution HD. The cameras also incorporate the brand’s award-winning features, such as AI-enabled advanced SMART auto-tracking operation and NDI-supported IP-based remote operation capabilities. Additionally, presets for exposure, color, and image are included.

Kitcast 2.0

Kitcast 2.0 by Kitcast leverages powerful AI technology to optimize your digital signage experience. The AI-driven content management system automates content creation and scheduling, ensuring messages are displayed at the right time. AI analytics provide insights into audience engagement, helping you fine-tune your strategy for maximum impact. Designed for ease of use, Kitcast’s drag-and-drop interface allows anyone to create and manage stunning content effortlessly. Choose from a library of customizable templates and a wide range of content options, including videos, images, social media feeds, and live data. Whether you manage a single screen or a vast network of displays, Kitcast’s cloud-based architecture allows you to update content remotely, ensuring consistent and timely communication.

LG’s MAGNIT Boxed Set Display

LG’s MAGNIT Boxed Set Display (LAAA) delivers eye-popping visuals in a simple installation package. It leverages LG’s chip-on-board technology, whereby the LED chips are embedded directly on the printed circuit board with seven layers, making this incredible image-reproducing system also remarkably robust. Complete with LG’s Office Meeting Mode, screen sharing and AI-enhanced processing, the LG MAGNIT contains numerous high-end features that deliver a premium display experience for any type of content in any corporate environment.

Logitech’s MeetUp 2

Logitech’s MeetUp 2 is the modern evolution of the best-selling conference camera in Logitech history, designed for BYOD and PC-based setups in huddle and small meeting rooms. With a focus on the human experience and deeper engagement, AI-powered features like RightSight 2 draw users into virtual meetings with dynamic views, and RightSound 2 offers advanced voice equalization and noise suppression. Sustainably designed, MeetUp 2 uses 62 percent recycled plastics (higher than similar market products), low-carbon aluminum, and responsible packaging. The device offers flexibility for in-room computer or laptop connections and remote monitoring for IT, making video collaboration achievable and affordable for everyone.

MAXHUB XBoard Interactive Flat Panel Series

MAXHUB’s XBoard Interactive Flat Panel (IFP) Series—available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 86- and 92-inch sizes—provides an advanced video conferencing experience and is ideal for daily collaboration sessions. Powered by the MAXHUB MeetingOS, these displays have a built-in three-camera system with advanced AI capabilities (65-inch and above display size) as well as the ability to support active speaker tracking and auto framing. The XBoard IFP Series offers 4K touch displays with a modular PC running Windows IoT. This provides a wealth of interactive capability using a wide range of source content. To ensure superior audio quality, these displays also provide 16 built-in microphone arrays with AI noise suppression. 

MSolutions’ MS-4K81-12TR

MSolutions’ MS-4K81-12TR is a complete ultra-wide angle PTZ video camera that identifies and follows human voices with smooth face tracking. The camera automatically locks into the person speaking and follows that person’s movement. AI tracking is powered through embedded machine learning technology, which extracts the location and characteristics of each speaker. The MS-4K81-12TR pairs with MSolutions’ latest extenders and active cables, providing a complete easy-to-install video solution with long-distance USB connectivity and very low power consumption.

Navori Labs STiX 3800 Digital Signage Player 

The next-gen STiX 3800 Digital Signage Player by Navori Labs is the industry's pioneering end-to-end digital signage player, seamlessly integrating CMS, screen monitoring, and AI-driven analytics into one compact device. Equipped with the latest processors and GPU, it effortlessly supports 4K@60fps playback. The AI-enhanced VPU offers actionable insights derived from real-time audience behavior. Moreover, the device actively promotes sustainability with a durable 50,000-hour lifespan, PoE capabilities, hands-free setup, and 80 percent less electricity consumption compared to a PC.

Nureva App 

The Nureva App is designed to enhance the setup and configuration of the Nureva HDL pro series systems and manage a comprehensive range of audio device settings. This robust companion to the HDL310 and HDL410 devices provides extra convenience to IT managers and integrators, as there’s no need for a continuous internet connection, software downloads, or account creation. Currently in beta, the app includes advanced features tailored to the needs of IT managers overseeing meeting rooms and classrooms, such as a dynamic coverage map to review real-time sound event visualizations and create camera zones; and a new AI-enabled voice detection feature that enhances the sound location data for camera tracking by distinguishing voices from ambient noise.

Perifery AI+ 2.0

Perifery AI+ 2.0 offers customers a comprehensive set of AI and workflow automation tools with new capabilities, including updated transcription, metadata generation, facial and object recognition, and automatic translation. These additions streamline asset management processes, simplify technology administration, and automate content organization, enabling organizations to enhance content library visibility, boosting productivity and creativity, and helping them reach larger audiences. Serving a broad spectrum of media professionals, from content creators and post-production houses, Perifery’s AI + suite enables the media and entertainment industry to harness AI technologies and prioritize the human experience.

Q-SYS VisionSuite

The Q-SYS VisionSuite represents a shift in intelligent video solutions for educational and collaborative spaces. By integrating cutting-edge AI technology from Seervision with the robust capabilities of Q-SYS, this solution offers a sophisticated and versatile platform that redefines the standards of presentations. At its core, the collaboration between Q-SYS and Seervision establishes an AI-driven presenter tracking system that seamlessly adapts to various presentation styles. Seervision's AI accelerator, powered by computer vision, enables precise presenter tracking and framing, allowing for dynamic adjustments and customization to suit specific preferences.

Samsung WAD Series Interactive White Boards

Samsung’s WAD Series Interactive White Boards are the brand’s first Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA)-certified interactive displays. Powered by Android 13, the WAD Series—available in 65-, 75-, and 86-inch models—provides instructors and students with a seamless, intuitive experience. It provides access to educational apps through Google Play, while allowing access to Google services such as Google Classroom and Drive. It offers a natural writing experience with infrared (IR) touch and supports up to 40 simultaneous touchpoints. A three-in-one USB-C port simplifies connectivity and allows connected devices to be charged at up to 65W, and an HDMI output enables easy content sharing. Samsung’s integration of AI for automatic transcription and transcribing lesson audio into text is a significant industry development.

Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Bars

Part of the TeamConnect family, Sennheiser’s TC Bars are the most feature-rich, all-in-one conferencing devices in their class. Available in two models for different room sizes—TC Bar S and TeamConnect Bar M—they scale to the largest meeting rooms. The TC Bar S has four microphones and two speakers, while the Bar M has six microphones and four speakers. With plug-and-play setup via USB and advanced beamforming technology, they ensure freedom of movement. A 4K Ultra HD camera with AI features enhances video quality. They also offer flexible setups, onboard Dante port, multiple mounting options, remote management, brand-agnostic integration, and advanced security.

Shure’s IntelliMix Room 6.1

The recently announced IntelliMix Room 6.1 by Shure now features Stereo Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) to create immersive meeting experiences. With intelligent AEC technology, echoes are detected and eliminated, enabling participants to fully engage in discussions without distraction. Stereo AEC provides left and right loudspeaker support, catering to the positional and spatial audio needs of attendees in the room, and allowing for future enhancements in meeting experiences. The Stereo AEC feature joins AI Denoiser in IntelliMix Room which eliminates unwanted sounds and disruptions in meetings by using AI to differentiate between noises and speech.

Sony Electronics’ BRC-AM7 PTZ Camera

Featuring an integrated 20x optical zoom lens, Sony Electronics’ BRC-AM7 PTZ Camera is the smallest and lightest of its type. This new 4K 60p flagship PTZ camera incorporates natural-looking PTZ Auto Framing technology, which employs AI technology for advanced recognition. This facilitates accurate and smooth automatic tracking of moving subjects. It offers a large, 1-inch sensor, powerful zoom range, and quiet pan-tilt motion. The camera also features a variable ND filter, and interfaces including 12G-SDI, HDMI, and NDI. It provides seamless integration and HDR or SDR color matching with Sony’s system cameras.

Telycam’s Explore SE Advanced PTZ Camera

Telycam’s Explore SE Advanced PTZ Camera features a 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor with 9MP resolution and a 30x optical zoom. It delivers stunning 4K60 video through flexible connectivity methods including NDI, NDI HX, 12G-SDI, HDMI2.0 and SFP+, with genlock enabling perfect synchronization of video frames across cameras and devices. For audio input, the Explore SE supports both stereo 3.5mm line-in and mini-XLR with phantom power. Tailored for high-performance AV productions, the Explore SE boasts exceptional features, including AI-powered auto-tracking, FreeD protocol support for compatibility with various VR/AR software engines, and local recording via its MicroSD card slot.

XTEN-AV

XTEN-AV is a pioneering cloud-based audio-visual software that allows users to complete AV designs and create winning proposals on the same cloud-based platform. XTEN-AV acts as a single source of truth for all data: project, design, and sales data, and is people and machine-agnostic, helping users service existing and future customers. The platform incorporates innovative technology like VR, AI, automation, and cloud computing to synchronize data—down to the level of a single drawing in a design. Additionally, at the core of XTEN-AV lies X-DRAW, an intuitive drawing and diagramming tool that seamlessly blends design automation with AV-specific functionalities. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most significant technological advancement in my lifetime, and we’re only just pulling up to the launch pad of understanding the far-reaching impact it will have on every aspect of life. One could argue that the Wide World Web, CRISPR, and other revolutionary innovations are more important, but the foundations of these will reach new and unimaginable heights with AI. 

During InfoComm in June, AI and the cloud emerged from behind the smoke and mirrors and were on display in a significant number of booths. While some manufacturers and solutions providers have used and deployed both AI and the cloud in the past few years, this is the year that could be transformative.

During InfoComm, I had the chance to interview Shure’s CEO, Chris Schyvinck, she said, “The whole [AI] terminology burst onto the scene when ChatGPT entered the mainstream thought process.” The AV/IT industry and Shure have been using artificial intelligence for a few years to enhance algorithms. “If you look at something like our IntelliMix Room, it can discern the voice you want to pick up and transmit to the other location versus somebody typing on a keyboard or making a rustling sound; that’s artificial intelligence.” Machine learning is used to train the algorithm. “We use machine learning then to bring those noises back into the lab and sort of train that algorithm as to what’s the good sound, what’s the bad sound. We’ve been doing that for three years now,” she said. “Now AI is in everybody’s consciousness, and I think that’s good because there’s a lot of conversations that have to be had around the right way to use it, and where people are doing some more nefarious things, and that has to be managed and figured out and taken care of,” Schyvinck added.

After his keynote at InfoComm on AI, I caught up with Joe Pham, chairman and CEO of QSC | Q-SYS. “We’ve been using NVIDIA GPUs in our Seervision, and there’s more in the pipeline,” Pham said. “We are always evaluating NVIDIA, Intel, and all the semiconductor companies because you need to find the right fit.”

A widespread assumption was that AI is best executed at the edge. “My perspective is changing. I’ve always thought that if you want real-time audio and video processing, you need it at the edge and use the cloud for all the data analytics.” The assumption that Pham has held for more than a decade has been shaken. “The bandwidth between the cloud and the edge is so fast now. It’s not so much the technological limitation of what should be in the cloud; it may turn into more of an economic consideration. 

Aurora Multimedia’s CEO, Paul Harris is taking a measured approach. “While the cloud can be great for unifying data and overall collaboration, we all need to take a step back and look at what AV really is and how the cloud may or may not impact the client. As for AI I do think it will play a big role in AV. Control system programming will be assisted, cameras will become smarter in how it grabs the person(s) image, and sound quality in time will have the ability to properly delineate a specific person's voice will be more possible.”

“The cloud offers an extensible platform that can reach endpoints beyond the facility walls, and bring important messages straight to the people,” said Amber Ward, director of marketing at Carousel Digital Signage. “Adding AI to the mix accelerates the workflow by simplifying content creation at the front end.”

Theresa Benson, vice president of Product Management and Marketing at Mersive Technology, added, “AI is poised to revolutionize the AV field, making experiences more personalized, efficient, and immersive.”

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Brad Hintze, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing at Crestron 

We had two core experiences at InfoComm 2024. One experience centered around solutions purpose-built for an organization’s most impactful spaces: C-suite meeting rooms, large conference spaces, training areas—anywhere critical decisions are made, or important information is shared. We had multiple displays and sources—most driven by DM NVX AV-over-IP technology. The technology is adaptable to any vertical, including education, enterprise, or government applications.

We also showcased our latest intelligent video solutions, including the Automate VX multi-camera speaker solution that employs visual AI for group framing, presenter, and speaker tracking, and a host of other functions. Intelligent video is a great way to ensure engagement, even among remote workers, as it captures more than conversations; it captures the emotion of the meeting. The larger systems include cameras with optical zoom, which occurs in the lens, as opposed to digital zoom, which blows up a portion of the image and reduces its clarity.

The other primary experience was based on a slightly smaller, multipurpose space. It offers a one-touch meeting experience that’s built for maximum flexibility. Visitors saw how easily platforms offered by Microsoft and Zoom work with the solutions on display, and how all of it integrates with Crestron Flex products.

We also had our hospitality solutions on display, as well as a sportsbook demo. It featured a large display that can handle up to 16 streams of sports content and showed how easily that display can be split into multiple configurations.

At the heart of all these solutions are Crestron’s five decades of experience with control solutions. With most of these systems, all that’s required from the user is one touch, and then everything happens automatically—content sharing, lights, shading, HVAC, and more.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Jeff Muto, Product Marketing Director at ViewSonic 

The future of audio and video cloud technologies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) will most likely be shaped by how these technologies offer scalability, flexibility, remote management, learning integration, and personalization. 

Cloud-based AV solutions can enable scalability and flexibility, allowing integrators, manufacturers, and others the ability to adjust their capabilities. From live streaming, digital signage content, and video conferencing, various features can be enhanced by sourcing the cloud. Remote management software such as ViewSonic Manager Advanced for managing and servicing as well as enhanced collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and ViewSonic TeamOne are integrating with cloud services to offer users real-time usage.

AI can be applied on the manufacturing side to streamline operations by using hardware to oversee and leverage the progress and processes of AI. An AV integrator can install hardware and software solutions that help their customers implement uses for cloud-based and AI integration into their businesses to simplify and modernize their collaboration and productivity output.

ViewSonic currently uses both the cloud and AI in our software solutions such as ClassSwift for education and TeamOne for enterprise customers. AI can analyze a user’s preferences and make recommendations, enhancing engagement. With ClassSwift, AI assists teachers in developing customized lesson plans based on the student’s learning progress. It also delivers real-time analytics to provide immediate feedback for the teacher. TeamOne is a cloud-based software program that delivers an infinite digital whiteboarding canvas. Because it is cloud-based, TeamOne enables users to collaborate from any location with any device.

Though the integration of cloud technology and AI is fairly new in the AV industry, making it more flexible, efficient, and user-friendly will be key factors to its growth. As these technologies evolve, there will be more innovation and changes in the AV industry, from content to manufacturing.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Maureen Schmidt, Vice President of Sales, America at Avocor 

For companies like Avocor that operate in the UC space and focus on collaborative workplace solutions, the cloud has become a vital component of service offerings. 

Organizations have had to re-evaluate the workplace considerably. With remote working becoming more commonplace, exciting new meeting room layouts and possibilities have been introduced, along with a significant increase in the adoption of preferred UC platforms for hybrid meetings. 

To ensure every investment in technology delivers, organizations need tools that help them understand the ROI when assessing and making decisions. This is why cloud-based remote management tools are essential for decision-making and reducing operational complexity. These tools monitor each device and feed information to the IT or facilities manager, as well as alert them to system errors and provide remote troubleshooting.

This is beneficial from a sustainability perspective. Managers can use this software remotely to gain usage insights into how the display is being used. 

At Avocor, we integrate FUSE technology, a cloud-based remote management tool built into our displays, to configure, manage, and analyze information and deliver it to the facilities manager. FUSE has been developed with an open IP so it easily integrates with your preferred BMS, reducing complexity and allowing managers to see all data—from multiple technologies across campus—in one single interface.

With insights on tap, it’s easy to see where there are gaps in your technology portfolio if further training is required to ensure company-wide adoption of new technologies, and if your meeting spaces and devices are meeting your needs.

The cloud and AI will continue to develop quickly, streamlining the data that provides context when making well-informed decisions. It will be particularly useful for tailoring the right technology to the right meeting space. These tools will have a big role to play when it comes to pushing the sustainability agenda in the future.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Tomer Mann, Chief Revenue Officer at 22Miles 

Today’s businesses, venues, and campuses rely on advanced cloud ecosystems for accessible, reliable, and up-to-date digital experiences. Decision makers are increasingly seeking ways to future-proof their cloud software to support employees and visitors long-term, looking for comprehensive solutions that streamline organization-wide communication, security, space management, collaboration, and, most importantly, engagement.

Integrators have long played a unique role in unifying these demands in AV projects—with a deep understanding of how hardware and software marry to deliver a smooth and frustration-free experience. Emerging SaaS offerings have made the migration to the unified cloud more seamless than ever: By incorporating a robust, cloud-based content management solution, integrators can unify, scale, and deploy ecosystems to serve a multitude of customers— businesses of all sizes and objectives. A cloud-hosted platform offers a flexible, central, and highly accessible interface for managers to distribute messages across devices, oversee and enable space use and collaboration, incorporate full-stack API integrations, and easily update data and applications to maintain high-performance systems.

The emergence of AI complements and expands the capabilities of cloud CMS software and is set to revolutionize client interactions, streamline operations, and provide more personalized experiences in AV environments—a core upgrade for engagement. When trained on an organization’s data set, AI integrations contribute versatile functionality to cloud-based AV ecosystems—whether enhancing the employee experience with automation; improving wayfinding and space management tools; or empowering visitors with digital signage and wayfinding solutions with truly next-generation accessibility, search, and personalized response features. 

While AI is already transforming what AV systems can do, its potential extends beyond current applications and promises unprecedented engagement and insight. Integrating AI into cloud ecosystems can help integrators design experiences that are increasingly seamless, exciting, and competitive as the industry evolves.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Zec Voislav, Product Director at WyreStorm

We are witnessing a transformative shift in the AV industry, driven by the integration of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The future of AV in the cloud is not just promising but transformative, poised to redefine how businesses, educators, and entertainment sectors operate.

Cloud-based AV solutions are providing unparalleled scalability. Organizations can easily expand their AV capabilities without significant investments in on-premise hardware. This flexibility allows for the dynamic adjustment of resources based on demand.

The cloud is facilitating seamless collaboration by enabling remote access to AV resources. Teams can collaborate in real-time from different locations, leveraging high-quality audio and video streams.

Cloud platforms offer centralized management of AV systems, simplifying the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of AV infrastructure. Advanced analytics provided by cloud services help in understanding usage patterns, optimizing performance, and preemptively addressing potential issues.

And finally, AV systems in the cloud can easily integrate with other cloud-based applications and services, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, learning management systems (LMS), and various productivity tools.

Artificial intelligence is set to significantly impact the AV industry, bringing forth innovations that will enhance user experiences and operational efficiencies. AI will drive intelligent automation in AV systems, from automatic camera tracking and switching to advanced audio processing. AI-powered predictive maintenance can analyze data from AV equipment to predict failures before they occur. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and extends the lifespan of AV systems.

AI will enable more intuitive user interactions through natural language processing (NLP) and voice recognition. Users will be able to control AV systems using simple voice commands, and AI algorithms will analyze user preferences and behaviors to deliver increasingly personalized AV experiences.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: David Albright, Senior Business Development Manager, Hybrid Collaboration and Learning at Legrand | AV

In a world where remote work and hybrid models have become the norm, businesses that prioritize a culture of belonging are poised to succeed. The way forward involves leveraging transformational workplace experiences through strategically deployed AV systems that facilitate better collaboration. This approach ensures that employees feel valued, engaged, and connected, regardless of their physical location. 

In 2024, the hybrid workplace is driving a demand for a diversity of space sizes and types optimized for a variety of uses. The mix of space types is changing, with demand for more focus rooms and small meeting spaces that help reduce the office disruption of quick conversations. Small spaces benefit from a standardized meeting experience, so increasingly, Teams and Zoom Room systems are being deployed in environments that formerly were set up for BYOD. Medium to large conference rooms must deliver equitable experiences with AV solutions and furniture designed to optimize audio and video coverage of in-person and remote attendees, with larger displays or laser projection systems with ambient-light-rejecting screens that maximize screen real estate for people and content. For boardrooms and other premium spaces, cutting-edge AV systems including AI-controlled multi-camera systems with spatial audio enhancements are being deployed for flawless communication, reinforcing a company’s culture and values. 

To meet the needs of today’s meeting spaces, we prescribe five pillars that define the new workplace paradigm: achieving meeting equity by designing conferencing spaces that ensure everyone is seen and heard; focusing on fast and repeatable success through efficient meeting space deployments; adaptability in the design of spaces and AV systems that anticipate future needs; delivering reliability with robust AV solutions and remote management tools that contribute to uninterrupted conferencing experiences; and familiarity, achieving consistency across different office locations to foster unity and belonging among team members.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: David Missall, Insights Manager at Sennheiser

The shift to cloud-based AV solutions is accelerating rapidly. As hybrid work is here to stay, Sennheiser is focused on ensuring that our customers are optimized for success. This includes keeping abreast of trends in cybersecurity and AI integration and incorporating them into the company’s solutions, especially for business communications. 

With the workforce becoming increasingly remote, security is a top priority. While remote work offers flexibility and collaboration, it also increases the risk of cybersecurity incidents. To combat this, Sennheiser integrates REST API into our products, leveraging built-in security mechanisms in HTTP/S, such as TLS and SSL encryption, to secure data transmission. This is already implemented in the TeamConnect Ceiling Medium and the TC Bar S and TC Bar M.

AI’s impact on AV technology is coming to light in profound and multifaceted ways. AI-driven features like automated meeting summaries and transcriptions are boosting productivity and unlocking untapped value in data management. At Sennheiser, we integrate AI into our business communication solutions to enhance the experience and improve meeting management. Our certified hardware solutions for platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom facilitate AI-driven meetings.

In terms of AV content creation and distribution, the cloud is transforming workflows. For example, cloud-based editing, storage, and streaming services enable faster and more efficient production processes. Content creators now have access to vast libraries of media assets that they can access immediately and leverage as part of their collaborative experience, further enhancing creativity and productivity. By integrating cloud-based AV systems with enterprise tools like CRM and project management software, organizations can further streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.

One of the most critical elements of any hybrid workplace remains the audio. The convergence of cloud technology and AI is the start of a new era in AV, characterized by enhanced connectivity, increases in efficiency, and an improved user experience.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Takashi Ito, Deputy Head of Pro Display Solutions at Sony Electronics

In the evolving landscape of audiovisual (AV) technology, we foresee significant advancements in AV technology over the next five years, driven primarily by cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Our strategic investments in these areas are designed to keep us at the forefront of these trends.

The cloud will revolutionize how AV systems are managed and scaled. We expect the industry to move towards fully integrated, cloud-based solutions that provide seamless scalability and flexibility. This will support the increasing demand for hybrid work environments and extensive digital signage networks, allowing for easy adjustments in response to changing needs without significant hardware investments.

AI will play a crucial role not only in significantly advancing feature sets but also enhancing the reliability and efficiency of AV systems. For example, we anticipate the widespread adoption of AI-driven predictive maintenance, which will analyze performance data in real time to predict and prevent potential issues. This proactive approach will ensure minimal downtime and maximize system performance, providing our customers with uninterrupted service and peace of mind.

By positioning our professional displays and other products within a cloud-enhanced, AI-powered ecosystem, we are prepared to lead the industry into the future. Our commitment to continuous innovation ensures that we will deliver cutting-edge technology that aligns with emerging trends. Over the next five years, we will continue to set new standards in performance, efficiency, and user experience, solidifying our position as a leader in the industry.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Sean Bowman, Associate Vice President of North America Sales at Shure

We believe cloud-based applications will revolutionize how customers control and manage hardware and software products in the audio industry for years to come. The accessibility and flexibility provided by the cloud are crucial for remote work and collaboration across global teams.

Recently, we previewed an initial beta release of ShureCloud, a powerful platform that gives IT professionals and AV integrators centralized control over their Shure devices. This means users can easily monitor, manage, and troubleshoot their entire audio ecosystem from anywhere, streamlining operations and reducing downtime.

The beta includes two innovative services: License Management for IntelliMix Room Audio Processing Software and Remote Device Management for the Microflex Ecosystem portfolio, each tailored to enhance the audio management experience. ShureCloud is built on the backbone of AWS, ensuring rigorous security protocols are in place and giving users peace of mind with a trusted platform likely already whitelisted on their networks. 

AI has long been integral to Shure’s audio technologies. One prime example of AI is with IntelliMix Room Denoiser. AI Denoiser eliminates unwanted sounds to remove distractions from meeting experiences. Developed in Shure’s labs, Denoiser uses AI and Machine Learning to enhance its algorithms, ensuring it can easily differentiate between the noise of an air conditioner or a noisy chip bag, versus the voice of a meeting participant, even in scenarios where speech and noise overlap, the algorithm can discern the differences between noises and speech and reduce it without impacting audio quality.

We see immense potential for the cloud and AI to enhance audio experiences further in the future. AI will impact intelligent audio processing and noise reduction while continuing to enhance personalized sound profiles and predictive analytics. At Shure, our goal with AI is to leverage it to create even more immersive, intuitive, and adaptable audio solutions for our customers.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Laura Madaio, Director of Marketing at Yamaha Unified Communications

At Yamaha Unified Communications, our recent efforts have been dedicated to enhancing the quality of audio and video for remote meetings. We have focused on developing simplified configuration tools that enable users to achieve optimal audio performance without needing to be audio experts. By incorporating advanced technologies that prioritize meeting participants and minimize interruptions from irrelevant sources, we have created market-leading products that significantly improve the setup and meeting experiences for our customers.

Looking ahead, our philosophy is to build on these advancements by expanding our product family, introducing new features, and providing tools that simplify the design, installation, and optimization of our solutions. Our latest AI-driven technologies and new components highlight how AI has enhanced the detection of meaningful audio, identification of speakers, and delivery of a superior meeting experience for remote participants.

AI technology has been instrumental in improving our audiovisual products over the past few years. It has enabled better differentiation between meaningful and non-meaningful audio, improved speaker detection in both audio and video, and ensured a high-quality meeting experience for remote participants. As we move forward, the integration of AI into our products will continue to grow, providing even more meaningful experiences for users at the far end of meetings.

Importantly, these advancements can be implemented through firmware upgrades, eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure changes. This approach ensures that our customers can benefit from the latest innovations without undergoing costly and time-consuming upgrades.

These cutting-edge technologies showcase how our commitment to excellence drives us to create solutions that empower our customers. By transforming the way they connect, communicate, and collaborate, we are shaping the future of audio communication and setting new standards in the industry.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Nancy Knowlton, Chief Executive Officer at Nureva

Looking in the rearview mirror for a clear view of the past is so much easier than attempting to gaze into a crystal ball to foresee the future. However, if we could project ourselves out 10 years from now and look back from there, what might we see? I think we’d see an industry filled with products imbued with AI. Whereas today, functionality is hard-coded into products, over the coming decade we’ll experience products designed to anticipate and enhance all our experiences through AI. That’s the key promise of AI—the anticipation of customer needs and then the delivery of an improved experience. Who wouldn’t embrace that future and work toward making it come true?

Today, the earliest implementations are rudimentary and applied to the smaller aspects of products. I’ve no doubt that this will change rapidly, stemming from the eternal driving motivation of product managers to deliver items that delight customers. One AI-enabled idea will beget another, and product improvements and innovations will accelerate, all because of AI. And we’ll soon come to the conclusion that we can’t do without the innovations that AI enables. We expect that AI will deliver something better.

And the cloud? While it’s taking time for the cloud to be fully accepted, it’s inevitable this too will be foundational to future products and experiences. I understand the caution around security concerns. However, there’s so much already in the cloud that we not just use, but fully accept, that it seems futile to question the cloud more generally.

AI and the cloud are not just inevitable but are the key to new and better experiences. And that’s before we even consider performance and costs.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Rob Moodey, Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Matrox Video

The evolution of the higher education classroom, particularly towards more interactive and multimedia-rich educational experiences, is intrinsically linked to the advancements in Pro AV technologies. Students are not just consumers of content, but creators. The expectation for near-broadcast-quality content from students—especially for such assignments as video presentations—necessitates Pro AV solutions that can handle high-resolution playback and streaming, both for in-class peer review and cross-departmental sharing.

The era of bigger and better displays is here. 8K LED screens have made their way into auditoriums, pushing lecture capture systems to upgrade and match the new standard of high-resolution content. Likewise, the transition from 720p to 4K and beyond is not just a trend but a necessity, mirroring the advancements seen in the consumer broadcast world. This shift underscores the importance of adopting high-performance video systems that can deliver content with the clarity and detail that today’s educational content demands.

Meanwhile, AI is revolutionizing content creation, including educational materials. The potential for AI to generate high-fidelity content for lectures presents an exciting frontier for higher education. This development necessitates Pro AV systems capable of handling and delivering AI-generated content with the sophistication it requires, ensuring that the educational value is not lost in translation due to technological limitations.

Moreover, departments within higher education institutions have different needs, highlighting the importance of interoperability and campus-level connectivity. A one-size-fits-all approach to Pro AV systems is no longer viable. Instead, there’s a growing need for flexible systems that can support a wide range of video formats and resolutions, facilitating seamless collaboration and content sharing across departments. Technologies like IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience) are emerging as solutions, offering a framework that can accommodate the evolving needs of higher education, from lecture capture to real-time image sharing of complex scientific data.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Dan Root, Global Strategic Alliance Lead of Barco ClickShare

AI is disrupting the way the AV and IT industries envision the future of hybrid meetings. Through the data AI shares, IT leaders can determine the best setup for a conference or meeting based on a participant’s need, ensuring positive user interactions. AI has the potential to create a more meaningful workplace, which supports our goal of enhancing the hybrid meeting experience with a user-centric approach. 

AI has been implemented in the AV industry for years—from audio algorithms that can filter out dynamic noises (like dogs barking or typing) to video algorithms that can focus on a presenter as they move throughout a room.

Recently, Large Language Model (LLM) AI algorithms are being incorporated into meeting rooms through integrations with unified communications and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Copilot. These newer models are leveraging various AI techniques to identify speakers in a room, provide transcription apps with translation capabilities for record-keeping, and offer advanced features for prioritization and meeting summaries. Although these applications are being adopted globally, we are still in the early days of realizing their full potential. 

These advancements create numerous opportunities for solutions like ClickShare, where creating exceptional in-room experiences is a top priority. Looking towards the future, the capability to enter a room and seamlessly engage in deep strategy and product discussions within seconds is only a few years from becoming a reality. AI technologies will enable a simple prompt to yield a fully articulated, complex process, like preparing a SWAT analysis or product roadmap, without employees spending hours on slide preparation.

In short, AI is not just enhancing current hybrid meeting experiences, but also paving the way for more efficient and engaging interactions, which will significantly benefit both users and organizations.

AVT Question: Below is an excerpt from Joe Pham’s keynote at InfoComm 2024, Everything Has Changed: AV’s Infinite Potential in an Exponential Age.

Thought Leader: Chairman and CEO of QSC | Q-SYS

We need our AV systems on a single platform and build an ecosystem around it because you need everything connected in a smart platform and once you have this, that’s really when you can enable data and AI.

I’m going to go through six areas in our industry where we should expect to see AI. This list is not complete, and it’s the combination of these six where the magic really happens.

AUDIO AI You’re going to have audio AI in terms of quality: noise reduction, blind source separation, and studio microphone speaker focus. Then it’s also in context and awareness, event detection, etc.

VIDEO AI Quality in the experience. There are certainly a number of solutions today in terms of auto-switching, auto-cropping, and auto-tracking. Then it’s the quality itself you’re going to get into noise reduction, artifact reduction, and studio relighting. And then the context awareness of video is really important; scene analysis, gesture analysis, etc.

CONTROL AI Certainly gen AI in terms of control. I was a controls engineer, and so if you’re a controls engineer, you actually see the whole world in terms of the input transfer function and output, and sometimes you close the loop. It [control AI] is different than automation. Automation is a deterministic thing that someone programmed. And that’s why a lot of us don’t like automation, because it’s never programmed the way we intended or the way different users would intend. Intelligence gives you human intent, and that is not just automation.

DATA AI You’re going to see tons here; predictive analytics, self-healing systems, and then data AI. Even if an enterprise had a thousand people going through the data, human beings still won’t be able to pick out things that an AI can. We as an industry have talked about managed services for a long, long time, and to me, this is a real enabler for managed services.

WORKFLOW AI Does this sound familiar? “We cannot deliver a consistent and quality experience through design and commissioning and managing and monitoring to the user experience.” That has been a problem for our industry in my entire time. But now you’re going to get gen AI in the design because, remember, it is in the digital twin. This actually reminds me of a great Satya Nadella quote ‘AI will both lower the floor and raise the ceiling,’ meaning we’re going to be able to design much more consistent user experiences because we’re going to be able to leverage tools. And ‘raise the ceiling means’ we’re going to do exceptional things with it.

Generative AI I think this is another catalyst to really cross the chasm in the digital signage industry. I think there’s going to be amazing things. When you have this full-stack AV, you can use all this. We’re just speaking to and interacting with computers, and I say interacting because, remember, all the cameras are there, and you can interact with them. You’re going to be interacting with the AI very naturally. When we design things properly you can do this in any of the verticals in our industry, in higher education, interactive and collaborative learning, across geographies, in sports bars really building a sense of local community, in hotels, and a great area for personalized experiences is theme parks—shared immersive experiences. We can do this in any of the verticals that we’re in.

And then, you know the question is, what will you do?

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Theresa Benson, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Mersive Technologies

The future of AI in AV is not just approaching; it’s here and evolving swiftly. If it’s not already obvious, AI is poised to revolutionize the AV field, making experiences more personalized, efficient, and immersive.

Imagine entering a room where an AV system recognizes a primary end-user and adjusts the lighting and sound to their preferences, compensating for the time of day, season, and location. Supervised machine learning models excel in this type of preference management, learning user behavior and then synthesizing it with larger datasets.

But AI’s role extends beyond science-fiction-sounding convenience to deliver other increasingly natural, intuitive interactions between users and technology. From assisting with acoustic adjustment based on room occupancy and purpose to offering real-time translations during interactions, AI-enabled systems can eliminate accessibility challenges and help AV teams deliver next-level experiences.

The power of AI in AV comes from balancing edge AI and cloud AI. Edge AI processes data on things like IoT devices and wearables, which is crucial for applications where cloud connectivity introduces adverse latency. Cloud-based AI, on the other hand, excels in heavy-duty data analysis, like predicting behavioral and operational trends and providing a big-picture view for strategic decisions. This enables AV professionals to anticipate needs, plan for future events, and suggest upgrades—all grounded in actual data—making operations and maintenance more efficient and cost-effective.

However, with increasingly networked AV equipment, addressing new attack vectors is critical. AI can also assist here. When combined with robust security practices, AI can help protect AV systems against threats and misuse. For example, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and anomaly detection models excel at analyzing various data types to detect irregularities and potential security threats.

As we enter this AI-enabled era of AV, the future holds incredible potential. My hope is that our industry prioritizes the practical ways in which we can deliver more secure, inclusive, and human-centric experiences for our users.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Amber Ward, Director of Marketing of Carousel Digital Signage

The hybrid movement in the business world has ushered in a sea change for corporate communications. When it comes to digital signage, it’s no longer enough to emphasize reaching people inside the lobbies, hallways, breakrooms, and cafeterias of the office building. The workforce is divided between those physically in the office and those working from home in almost equal measure, and the HR and marketing departments in charge of reaching employees need effective tools to ensure messages land in front of intended audiences in a timely manner. 

The cloud offers an extensible platform that can reach endpoints beyond the facility walls, and bring important messages straight to the people. Organizations that have already invested in displays, mobile devices, and cloud-based digital signage platforms already have the infrastructure in place to direct messages with specific tasks, assignments, and information tailored to each group, department, or person. It’s critical to understand precisely what tools your digital signage software supplier offers to help you achieve your desired outreach goals and ensure success across the board.

Adding AI to the mix accelerates the workflow by simplifying content creation at the front end. Not everyone is a writer, and not everyone is a designer. An AI-based tool like Canva can help users of any skill set create content that reads well and looks good in alignment with the message you are sending. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface, combined with its robust libraries of templates, fonts, stock photography, illustrations, and audio and video clips, lets users create everything from videos to websites, social media content, presentations, and documents on any device. 

The quicker the organization can publish and disseminate its messages, the more effective the result is when it comes to reaching the audience in time. As we move forward, AI will continue to develop as a reliable vehicle for accelerating your digital signage workflow from creation to delivery.

AVT Question: Please share your insight on AI and the cloud's impact on Pro AV today and in the near future.

Thought Leader: Paul Harris, CEO at Aurora Multimedia

The future of “AV in cloud” is limited and I feel is overstated at times. While the cloud can be great for unifying data and overall collaboration, we all need to take a step back and look at what AV really is and how the cloud may or may not impact the client. If you look at a typical conference room installation, it consists of microphones, amplifiers, speakers, display, PC, and distribution. None of which can be in the cloud. It is only the services for the applications that can truly benefit from the cloud that are engrained into today’s PC operating systems. If you look at video conferencing the main difference today vs years ago is using the internet to either go point to point or through a centralizing service like Zoom or Teams to bring in multiple parties at the same time. At the end of the day, the true nature of AV is still physical as you will need a processor for the call located at the site, a microphone, speaker, camera, etc.

The other issue with the cloud is what happens when the cloud is not available for whatever reason. Will it impact the ability to carry out a local meeting or to perform the duties of the day until the service is restored? There is still the security aspect as anything leaving the building always has some level of potential of being intercepted. Overall, I am simply stating to always have a local backup plan in the event the cloud has a rainy day.

As for AI I do think it will play a big role in AV. Control system programming will be assisted, cameras will become smarter in how it grabs the person(s) image, and sound quality in time will have the ability to properly delineate a specific persons voice will be more possible.

NOW AVAILABLE! AV Technology Manager’s Guide to AI & AV and The Cloud

18 AV/IT Thought Leaders from the AV/IT industry were invited to share their insights on the transformative potential of AI and cloud AV. While these technologies have been in use for a few years, this year could be the turning point, inspiring us to embrace change and innovation.

20 Very Intelligent Products: AI-enabled software for creating GUIs; cloud-based configuration for controllers; cloud CMS; Cloud-managed smart switches; AI differentiates between noises and speech; Cloud device management; AI PTZs with advanced recognition and enhances video quality; cloud-based monitoring and management; LEDs with chip-on-board technology, and much more.

2 Inspiring Case Studies: Seneca Polytechnic is making it easier for students and faculty to interact with content through its centralized and digital IT infrastructure. | Utah Department of Transportation’s Traffic

Read more!

In an exclusive interview, QSC | Q-SYS Chairman and CEO, Joe Pham, sat down with AV Technology's content director, Cindy Davis, to discuss his thoughts on the impact of AI in the AV/IT industry and provide a preview of his InfoComm Keynote, Everything Has Changed.

View the full interview below. 

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant topics discussed, and it could impact virtually every aspect of our lives. AI's potential within the AV/IT industry is far-reaching. "It's all around the compute, the data, and the neural network algorithms," Pham said. "We as an industry have an immense amount of data that is extremely valuable, not only in our AV systems and our AV platforms but in other platforms where we can really be a major player in terms of enhancing human connection and experience and outcomes."

Pham likes to have fun and said his keynote "will be a playful look at our world, our industry, the technology." He is also a student of the historical impact of technology. "I will speak about a very, very large view of technology acceleration, putting AI in the context of all of the revolutions that we've had in humanity." Pham added, "Then we'll go through my arguments on why the AV industry is so uniquely positioned to really take advantage and be a driver and be such an influential industry in this world of AI. And then, finally, we'll get down to real practical things of what we need to do as an industry."

If you've never experienced a keynote or presentation by Pham, I can tell you firsthand that you should prepare for an inspiring hour that will leave a lasting impact. He is a visionary technologist and an unwitting motivational speaker.

Make room on your calendar for the Q-SYS Keynote: Everything Has Changed on Wednesday, June 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in North Hall meeting rooms N245-N251.

[On Hybrid Work 2024: Q-SYS]

Mobile Video Devices (MVD) today announced a distribution partnership with camera developer OBSBOT. Under the new agreement, MVD will distribute OBSBOT's conferencing and production camera solutions to systems integrators and resellers across North America, with exclusive distribution rights for OBSBOT's enterprise products including the new Tail Air AI-powered 4K PTZ streaming camera and the award-winning, AI-driven Tiny 2 webcam. MVD is also the exclusive distributor for Magewell solutions in North and South America.

[Julian Phillips Explains Why Every Pro AV Company Needs a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer]

Founded in 2016 as the AI camera brand of Remo Technologies, OBSBOT is dedicated to connecting people and the imaging industry to the future through revolutionary technology and innovative products. OBSBOT's newest flagship, the AI-enhanced Tail Air live streaming camera, is captivating the content creation market by combining superior-quality live streaming and recording with unmatched versatility.

Tail Air can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second or 1080p HD video at 60 fps. Its enlarged 2-micrometer pixel size and advanced camera components enable the capture of brighter frames and finer details with less video noise even in challenging, dimly lit environments. Advanced AI auto-tracking smoothly follows people, animals or objects, while time-of-flight technology enhances auto-focus efficiency in both bright and low-light situations. Dynamic gesture control allows remote starting and stopping of recording as well as zoom adjustments. Additional options for Tail Air add Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support through a USB-C to Ethernet adapter; NDI® HX3 output support for integration into video-over-IP production workflows; and a smart remote control.

[4 Ways AI Can Help Pro AV Sustain Profitable Growth] 

In addition to its own RTMP-based streaming capabilities via the OBSBOT Start app, Tail Air is an ideal PTZ camera complement to Magewell's Director Mini all-in-one multi-camera production and streaming system—which is also distributed exclusively by MVD. Each Tail Air unit can serve as an HDMI (with a micro-HDMI to HDMI adapter) or NDI HX3 source to Director Mini, with full pan/tilt/zoom control available through the Director Mini user interface.

Does anyone else feel like 2023 flew by, unlike any other year in the past? I'd swear I was just in Barcelona attending ISE, yet I'm starting to set up meetings for ISE 2024, which begins in a little more than seven weeks. Yipes!

Speaking of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the AV industry show takes place in Barcelona from January 30 to February 2, 2024, and it's not just for our European AV/IT counterparts. Many new products will be announced, and new trends begin to emerge.

I don't know about you, but I get totally energized from being among our industry peers and immersing myself in everything AV/IT. And who couldn't use a boost of energy and inspiration in January? If you haven't booked your flight to beautiful Barcelona, I'm giving this to you on good authority: ISE is the perfect way to kick off the New Year. Plus, I always spend an extra day or two to see the city.

[A Remarkable Journey: SCN Hall of Famer Mike Blackman Reflects on 20 Years of ISE]

Going Big in 2023

There are trends, and then there are behemoth stories representing the culmination of everything we love about Pro AV. I'm guessing you've heard about it, the Sphere in Las Vegas. It's so spectacular that it has taken the top spot for the most clicked-on article on AVnetwork.com in 2023 and probably many other websites.

From the physical structure to infrastructure, massive media servers, power supply, immersive sound, haptic seating, and spectacular content creating an unforgettable experience, the Sphere is a Pro AVer's dream come true.  

The exoskeleton of the Sphere is 366 feet tall and spans 516 feet across, making it the largest spherical structure in the world. The Exosphere comprises approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, each containing 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors. Before its official opening in September, as part of a special show to celebrate the Fourth of July, Sphere's 580,000 square foot fully programmable LED exoskeleton was completely illuminated.

On September 29, 2023, U2 (Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton with Bram van den Berg) lit up the Sphere stage with a mind-blowing opening night, reinventing the live music experience with the launch of the immersive venue driven by a slew of innovative Pro AV.

At 16K x 16K resolution, the interior LED display plane soars to a height of 240 feet, and more than three acres of display surface, the screen wraps up, over, and around the audience to create a fully immersive visual environment. 

Check out our ongoing coverage of all things Sphere.

AI and AV in 2023

One of the most significant trends in 2023 was that more manufacturers and solutions providers incorporated artificial intelligence into product portfolios than previously. Following are excerpts from some AV/IT industry experts interviewed for AV Technology throughout 2023 on the impact of AI in AV. 

My video interview with DTEN's head of marketing, Nia Celestin, sets the stage for the discussion on artificial intelligence. "There's some confusion around the definition of what constitutes an AI technology versus a smart or an intelligent technology," said Celestin. "Sometimes defining AI is also defining not just what it is, but also what it is not. What it is not is pattern recognition, for example, counting faces in a meeting room, knowing how many people are in the room, and things of that nature. That's not AI; that's smart technology. AI really rests on learning algorithms built into the technology that evolve over time based on the user's interaction with the technology." Listen to my full interview with Celestin here.

There's hardly a technology or experience within the AV/IT space that won't be touched by and benefit from artificial intelligence. Several applications benefit from incorporating AI, but none were more quickly embraced than the hybrid meeting space.

AI Facilitates Collaboration

While discussing Yamaha UC's new CS-500 and CS-800 soundbars, Holger Stoltze, director of Product Management at Yamaha Unified Communications, said, "As one of the first companies to have entered the video soundbar space, we knew that any new soundbar we developed would need to provide industry-defining technology to our users. Utilizing innovative AI algorithms based on gathered video and audio information, all via a simple HDMI connection, we can provide a frictionless and superior conferencing experience in beautiful 4K."

Yamaha UC's field sales engineer, Balazs Boldog, added, "We've undoubtedly entered the age of AI in AV, where digital signal processing combined with microphone technology like human voice activity tracking (HVAD), automatic room EQ, dereverberation, and adaptive echo canceling significantly make up for the lack of acoustical treatments and open and reflective architecture," Boldog said. "We can bring out the best in the available technology by following some guidelines."

Sonia Ochani, business insights manager, Business Communications at Sennheiser, said, "To ensure consistent audio quality, AI-driven audio calibration optimizes sound settings based on the room's acoustics, which helps stabilize the different environments a meeting can take place." Ochani suggested, "When making purchases, AV/IT managers should consider adaptable AV solutions for varying room sizes and configurations that offer cost-effectiveness and future-proofing; bring-your-own-device (BYOD) AV solutions that accommodate a wide range of devices and operating systems, empowering participants to share content effortlessly; AI-powered audio solutions that can identify and eliminate background noise and echoes, enabling participants to focus on the conversation; AI-driven audio calibration that optimizes sound settings based on the room's acoustics, ensuring consistent audio quality in different environments; and AI-powered video features such as auto-framing, person tiling, gesture recognition, and capturing room data. These components are growing needs in facilitating effective communication and collaboration in modern meeting environments."

Brandon White, director of product development at Vanco, suggested, "For larger enterprises, as well as organizations with a high degree of turnover, technology managers must build flexibility into their technology stack. You can't dictate how people are going to collaborate most effectively, but you can offer a curated set of options that allows teams to choose the modes that work best for them." White suggested, "Perhaps most meetings should take place using a video conferencing platform with built-in AI transcription and summary capabilities."

For several years, I've been covering the ability to collect actionable data from room control systems. Data held the promise that AV control systems were worth even more than just automating rooms and tasks because now they can inform device and room usage, people counting, and so much more. But what ensued was a hot potato of who would set up the data collection and be responsible for analyzing and creating action items. Artificial intelligence might hold the key.

"Technology innovation advances continue with room cameras and video conference software platforms that utilize artificial intelligence," said George Astacio Jr., regional sales manager of Client Experiences at Jupiter Systems. "These technologies enhance meeting analytics, presentation delivery, and engagement." 

"Networked AV and control is poised for future growth," said Scott Norder, RGB Spectrum's chief operating officer." As technologies like 4K and 8K video, AI-driven analytics, and IoT integration become more prevalent, the demand for robust networked solutions will continue to rise.

AI Informs and Serves Content

Mark Bohs, director of sales, Americas at Datapath said, "Certain triggers can now change content automatically with AI applications, such as gender-related advertising due to footfall in a shopping center. The same displays can also have the potential to be used for security messaging, wayfinding, or bespoke promotions. This flexibility supports a safer environment, improves foot traffic, and provides additional revenue streams."

"Creating dynamic content increasingly relies on embracing AI integration and regenerative content that adapts to real-time events, trends, or user behavior," said Robert Luther, product manager, LED at Ross Video. "And by utilizing data-driven insights, brands can personalize content to cater to individual preferences and create a sense of relevance, further enhancing the audience's engagement. 

Trends come and go, but artificial intelligence is here to stay. "The future of digital signage will be utilizing AI technology to target viewers' potential needs more accurately," said Paul Harris, chief executive officer at Aurora Multimedia. "Currently, when signage is displayed, it is generalized with the hope it is received by a certain percentage of people that can relate to the content. With AI, a camera can be used to help determine the number of people, age ranges, genders, ethnicities, and emotions in order to select the proper content to display at that moment. This will deliver a new experience with a higher probability of accurately displaying the individual's needs and deliver valuable data for the reactions to the content."

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are making their mark in the AV/IT landscape," said Daniel Prax, global director, Digital Marketing at Black Box. "AI and ML can learn from user behavior and create highly customized interactions, making these advancements highly attractive for future investment. These technologies can assist with automation, personalization, and improved user experiences." 

"Decision makers should pursue solutions that leverage AI to optimize content delivery and measure audience engagement, said Patrick Prothe, director of marketing at Audinate. "Content personalization continues to be a significant factor in most interactive experiences. Consumers are influenced in their personal lives by online shopping experiences and social media content curation that caters to their desires and interests. That curation is created by cataloging prior activity on the platform: What did they look at, like, or buy? What was their dwell time on the page? Did they leave a comment or review?"

Looking Ahead

I’m looking forward to learning about what is in store for 2024, and I will begin that journey at ISE in Barcelona. Stay tuned!

[Pro AV 2024: Now Trending]

In an interview with Systems Contractor News (SCN), Jessica McDowell, senior vice president of Business Development & Security Strategy at TD SYNNEX, said phishing remains a top threat, as cybercriminals use deceptive emails, messages, and calls to trick people into providing sensitive information or downloading malicious software. She notes that artificial intelligence can be a double-sided coin, offering enhanced security on one side and the potential for mishandling data on the other. TD SYNNEX provides industry training via its Enablement Portal TDS University and the Security Practice Builder.

It seems the security landscape changes daily. What are you seeing as the latest threats?

Phishing continues to remain the top threat, as cybercriminals use deceptive emails, messages, and calls to trick people into providing sensitive information or downloading malicious software.

Increasingly, we’re seeing these attacks involve extorting money from victims, most commonly through ransomware. Those attacks are continually evolving in sophistication as hackers find new ways around restrictions. They’re even using generative AI and machine learning to efficiently spin off new, more enhanced, and effective vectors of attack.

Long-term and highly sophisticated cyberattacks by nation-state threat actors remain a concern for government agencies and large corporations. And while finance and healthcare continue to be the top targeted industries, we’re now seeing the largest number of attacks on manufacturing as cybercriminals focus attention on Operational Technology (OT).

OT accounted for nearly 40 percent of cyber-attacks in 2022. While IT attacks steal data, OT attacks focus on industrial control systems. Criminals seek to make a physical impact as well as a monetary one.

From an integrator’s perspective, everything is now on the network, so everything must be protected. Networked audio and video also add potential threats through holes created in the network. So, it’s critically important to consider security in every application and in every vertical market.

How does AI factor into the security landscape? And where does AV fit in?

AI is a two-sided coin.

On the one hand, we believe AI could potentially enhance security solutions through automation. AI can help identify and respond to threats in real time, potentially detecting and preventing attacks more effectively. AI can do this by learning to recognize normal usage and network interactions and behaviors by analyzing vast amounts of data very quickly and accurately. The resulting reduction in false positives and negatives in threat detection means better detection of abnormal activities—both from the inside and from skilled outside attackers.

And AI can help to automate some security tasks, which reduces the workload on security teams, allowing them to focus on more complex security issues. This is particularly important to resource-constrained organizations.

Conversely, AI also presents security risks. With AI comes the need for access to large amounts of data, which raises concerns about data privacy and the potential for mishandling personal information. In addition, AI-fueled attacks have the potential to be highly sophisticated, leading to challenges in defending against them.

We’re seeing a rapid expansion of AI within the audiovisual segment. For example, AI-powered video analytics can be used for security and surveillance by analyzing camera feeds for potential threats or incidents. AI algorithms can also detect and flag inappropriate AV content, which helps platforms maintain content standards and safety.

From a physical security standpoint, an increasing number of features are getting built into cameras that allow users to monitor and track a variety of details.

With growing concern about AV devices creating security risks on the network, it’s important for AV teams to coordinate with network administrators closely, explain the purpose of the hardware being put on the network, and work with them to configure the network in a secure but functional way.

A good first step for AV integrators is to change the default passwords on devices and not use the same one on multiple devices. Good password management is a great start to any security best practice.

How is TD SYNNEX continuing to enable AV partners who want to expand their security practice?

TD SYNNEX provides industry training via our Enablement Portal TDS University and through our Security Practice Builder. Our product business management teams serve as thought leaders throughout various technology segments by creating content and delivering information about the industry and specifically how our vendors and value-added services address industry trends.

Our Next UP team is focused on new and emerging vendors. In addition to enabling our partners to sell specific vendor offerings, they offer line card consultations to help our partners identify where they may have a gap in their offerings or where they may need to beef up their offerings in a particular segment.

In fact, our services team has been incredible at helping augment our partners' capabilities in terms of delivery and support. We continue to offer complimentary Security Assessments, and more partners than ever are taking advantage of those. In addition, we recently launched a self-service portal with five assessments for partners to take with or on behalf of their customers, providing a guided plan based on the report findings.

In summary, our value to our partners is simplified into four key pillars: We help you learn, we solve for the technology ecosystem's complexity, we deliver technology solutions with versatility, and we help you evolve.

For more information, you can reach us at cybersolv@tdsynnex.com.

DTEN’s head of marketing, Nia Celestin, answers the tough questions: What is artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, and what is not AI? What is the difference between intelligent AV room technologies and AI? What’s the difference between AV technologies that count the number of people in a room versus learning algorithms? When are PTZ cameras smart or using AI? How can the hybrid workplace benefit from using room technologies with built-in AI? Check out the video interview to learn about the answers to these questions and more about AI in the hybrid workplace.

Watch the video below. 

Donning his signature black turtleneck, Steve Jobs ambled on to the stage at Mac World 2007 and proclaimed, “Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” He was, of course, talking about the launch of the iPhone—and how right he was. Before the end of that decade, smartphones had revolutionized the way people worked and played, and had dominated the attention span of a generation.

[Blueprint for Success: Learn from the Past, Shape Your Future]

I believe we have now arrived at a new “tipping point” where artificial intelligence, most recently popularized by ChatGPT, will change everything as well. I also believe the AV industry is ideally positioned to take advantage of AI engines and bots, helping to shield us from recession and acting as a powerful accelerator of business transformation and profitable revenue growth.

Over the last 30 years, the Pro AV industry has grown to be a $258 billion powerhouse (according to AVIXA), helping to transform business collaboration, education, government, healthcare, entertainment, and hospitality around the world. In the most part, this success has been achieved through the curated fusion of space, content, and technology.

Our traditional AV technology has helped people tell better stories, communicate remotely, engage and delight audiences, educate and inform, and simulate real life situations. To that end, we have played our part in the progressive digital transformation of the economy.

Now, envision a new technology that goes beyond being a mere aid to human productivity, but can perform the work for human beings instead. This technology is so advanced that it instills a sense of job insecurity among knowledge workers, akin to how agricultural laborers felt during the industrial revolution 250 years ago.

That technology is AI, and it is no longer the science fiction of Space Odysseys and Ex Machinas; it is here, it is now, and it’s already playing a significant role in shaping our future. AV industry leaders, therefore, need to resist any luddite reflexes and embrace it with open minds and open arms.

To help allay fears and encourage experimentation and discover pathways to business value, here are four ways AI can assist the AV industry to experience another 30 years of sustainable and profitable growth.

1) Audio Fidelity

During the pandemic (and when permitted), my kitchen was being remodeled over a two-week period. My office is on the other side of the wall, and I was on nonstop Teams and Zoom calls in the middle of crashing, banging, sawing, and swearing. Not once did any remote participants during these meetings hear anything other than my voice, AI playing its role in keeping the good and getting rid of the bad without any additional hardware or programming.

These very same AI engines are moving beyond video calls and headsets into open spaces and immersive experiences. There is not a single audio manufacturer not embracing the power of AI, with some ahead of the pack.

2) Video Equity

Post COVID-19, many organizations are seeing the benefits of a “video first” culture. Unfortunately, there are still issues with video quality and the equality of experience between in-person and remote participants. And this is having a real impact on return-to-office (RTO) strategies. 

Again, AI can play a significant role. Microsoft’s VRTO (Virtual Real-Time Optimization) uses AI to code and decode video to make best use of available bandwidth, helping to reduce video freezing and pixelation, resulting in a more stable and high-quality video experience.

[Viewpoint: The Struggle for Presence Equity Is Real]

Zoom has developed "Smart Gallery View." This feature uses AI and machine learning algorithms to adjust the video feed layout and ensure that all participants in a meeting are visible and clearly framed. Zoom also offers an AI-powered feature called "Touch Up My Appearance" (tough job in my case), which uses machine learning algorithms to smooth out facial features and reduce the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles on the video feed. This feature is designed to improve the appearance of users during video calls and help them feel more confident and professional.

3) Repetitive Tasks

I was recently on stage at AVI-SPL’s global Sales Acceleration Summit (SAS), and I asked 500 salespeople and designers if they knew anything about ChatGPT. Virtually every hand went up. After my speech I was approached by dozens of people regaling stories of how they were actively using it to write code, format statements of work, conduct research on customers, create copy for marketing campaigns, and solve technical problems without referring to manuals.

For the CTS holders reading right now, ask ChatGPT to calculate viewing aspect ratios for you (providing a few simple inputs) and watch what happens. In short, we just don’t have enough qualified people in the global AV talent pool to meet current demand, if we keep doing our jobs the same way we have always done them. We must embrace AI tools like ChatGPT to minimize repetitive, manual tasks and liberate our people to create more value and deliver better experiences for our customers.

4) Business Intelligence

Let’s move on from the agricultural laborers to the mill owners for a minute, the business leaders of the Pro AV industry. Are you listening? This AI stuff is for you as much as it is for the techies.

There are countless ways in which AI can be used to eliminate recurring costs and redundant overheads, streamline business processes, and provide real insights into customer and market behaviors. If you are not already adopting AI in your business, then you might already be behind the competition.

[Beyond the Tech: 'SEO' Is Three Critical Components for Any Successful AV Project]

Now is the time to experiment, dedicate resources to look at how AI can help you to transform your business. As Rudyard Kipling would direct you, “Meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters all the same.”

We return to Apple, this time with current CEO Tim Cook, who declared earlier this year that AI is a major focus for the company. But he also said something very profound at an MIT commencement address back in 2017: “I'm not worried about artificial intelligence giving computers the ability to think like humans. I'm more concerned about people thinking like computers.” Put that in your ChatGPT and smoke it!

For many years, the AV/IT industry has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop products and solutions. Control and automation companies designed drag-and-drop room configurators that eliminated programming, with sensors placed in rooms that, when triggered, turn on the lights, set the HVAC, and launch a presentation. Today, many are delivering intelligent touchless environments using AI and facial detection.

We can often look toward consumer electronics trends to predict technologies that will emerge in the enterprise and other commercial markets. Some kernels of the near-future could be gleaned from a virtual conference session held during CES 2021, between New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman and renowned artificial intelligence (AI) expert, president and CEO of Mobileye, Amnon Shashua. Together, they discussed fundamental questions related to the ethics and values governing today's technology, the challenges facing a rapid pace of change and automation, and solutions for maximizing opportunities in a world that is fast, fused, and deep.

Shashua explained that AI is narrow; it is software that is optimized to solve a single problem. "What Mobileye is doing is all about pattern recognition; cameras and other sensors understanding the visual world and then using that interpretation to drive decisions to do self-driving."

Shashua declared AI as the frontier of yesterday. "The next frontier is language," he said. This is where artificial general intelligence (AGI) comes in. An example would be software that can read and comprehend text to a degree that a person can have a conversation with the computer. "Once a computer can do that, it means it can understand context, understands common sense, understands temporal dimension," Shashua said. Taking that to the next step, the computer can also write a story. "If you summarize the main ideas, then you can let the computer write everything, and you can interact with the computer and refine it," he said.

Because of huge leaps in the progress of language comprehension, Shashua predicts that within the next two to five years, we will see computers understanding comprehension tests. "If you have more and more compute, and more and more data, you can do things that a few years ago would be considered science fiction," he said.

Relating

Mark Peterson, a principal at Shen Milsom & Wilke (SM&W), has had his eye on AI and AGI as it applies to the AV/IT industry. "AGI is the litmus test of being able to think, and be able to ask questions and then make responses without having it be pre-programmed and predetermined," he said. Computers are at another stage of intelligence. "Recently, we saw the announcement that Alexa now has the ability to anticipate when people want their lights shut off: whether they say the command or not, it will draw a conclusion based upon preexisting conditions," Peterson said.

When clients ask SM&W for the latest in smart building technologies, Peterson emphasized that it still begins with usage scenarios, no matter how advanced. "I create a narrative,” he said. “'When I walk into the room, what do I want to do?' The usage scenario narrative describes the automation process. And that starts to put people in the mindset of visualizing and understanding kind of where the automation can help them.”

Facial detection has been used in the security industry for a while, but companies are embedding that technology into more products, such as building entry kiosks, since the pandemic. In these cases, the person entering the building has "opted-in" and knows their facial profile is being used for their benefit. "I want to be able to have a frictionless experience entering the building and going upstairs,” Peterson said. “So, therefore, I want it to be able to help people recognize me.”

With facial detection and other technologies that are collecting more personal data, Peterson cautions, "There should be foundational rules, and we should be able to apply them."

Automating Intelligence

From automated and intelligent presenter tracking embedded into video cameras, to displays providing data on the number of people entering a building, or facial detection providing data such as sentiment, to audio solutions with automatic dynamic beamforming technology, to handwriting recognition, there's no shortage of innovative AV/IT solutions being brought to market every day.

The pandemic has increased the awareness of screens that capture data, such as people's temperature, as they enter a building. Rich Ventura, vice president of B2B at Sony Electronics Professional Solutions Americas, said, "I'm sure the individuals at World Privacy Forum and some of the other privacy groups are going to disagree with what I say here. But I'm hoping we're at the point that people realize that tools like this become very valuable and can help you."

In 2019, Sony Pro introduced a device called the Edge Analytics Appliance engineered with AI technology. "It is designed to do everything from following a presenter as they're speaking with audio tracking, to handwriting extraction so the audience can see the content being written on the board, and REA-C1000 technology that can detect and react to gestures from audience members," Ventura said.  

"These types of devices are an area where I see more and more organizations spending and investing money," he added. "They minimize the number of staff needed to run a presentation, as well as have the ability to share content."

Recognition

For more than 10 years, Intel has been invested in computer vision, enabling partner companies to build devices in the digital display space. "Our product is collecting data, analyzing it very quickly in an ASIC, and then being able to contribute it to very exciting developments with machine learning, artificial intelligence," said Joel Hagberg, head of product management and marketing for Intel RealSense at Intel. "You can truly utilize computer vision to improve the performance of interaction, of products to make the world safer, more productive, and make it a more immersive environment."

Intel announced its Intel RealSense Touchless Control Software (TCS) in January, a cost-effective solution that will transform a touch-based system to touchless. "You don't need to replace your components; you're just mounting a camera, loading our software, and it's a plug-and-play change for those kiosk manufacturers," Hagberg said. "With the Intel ASIC doing the vision processing, "we've been able to take our Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435 with the TCS software and provide a seamless conversion from touch to touchless."

Answering the need for touchless access control, Intel also launched Intel RealSense ID, a secure facial authentication device. "There has been a significant spike in interest in the facial authentication space to move away from punching in codes with fingers," Hagberg said.

Intel takes privacy very seriously. Intel RealSense ID is not a surveillance camera and does not randomly scan faces. "It does not do a facial scan and store an image," Hagberg said. "We're not storing your facial image as a biometric; we're storing facial landmark as the biometric signature." The device is attention aware, meaning an enrolled user is aware they are being authenticated.

"There's a lot of intelligence that we're gathering, so our feeling is that if you can enable a robot, a computer, to become aware of its surroundings, we're making a truly smart device that can see and understand and interact and make decisions," Hagberg added.

"In the AV world, there are a lot of opportunities to be able to use the digital signage or voice devices to pull information,” Hagberg said. “We're giving the computer system the ability to get that visual data. I think it's a perfect platform for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to be able to take the data, analyze it, and make it a safer environment, a more productive environment, or a more immersive experience for customers."

Connecting the Vectors

According to Christopher Jaynes, founder and CTO of Mersive, "If you look at how people assume technology will emerge, often they don't think about the ubiquitous infrastructural implications." Using automated cars as an example, "you think about, 'How would I build a smart car?'" Jaynes points out that the evolution is a combination of the car plus a smart infrastructure that's talking to it.

Supportive assistance in the workplace and education is where Jaynes is focusing his attention. "We have 190,000 rooms worldwide already with little boxes that are very, very smart. And when I walk into the room, I have a mobile device. So, when I say ‘assistant,’ I don't think of my assistant talking to me. The infrastructure itself is looking for ways to help my day get better."

For nearly two years, Mersive has been collecting meeting ratings from users. A random set of questions is asked to glean information about productivity, engagement, or sentiment. "It's not about the tech; it's the outcome," Jaynes said. "Those words are vectors into all the data we've collected for an AI to mine."

With this information, an employee who does not need a high level of productivity can ask, "Where are my most enjoyable meetings?" The assistant would direct the employee to the ideal available meeting space.

"So that, I think, is a big role of AI," Jaynes said. "This idea of assisting you through your day in ways that the AI itself knows based on the current status of where you are, what you need to get done, and where the infrastructure can support those needs through pattern recognition. That's coming real soon. That's a big deal."

Having postponed its event that was scheduled to take place in Barcelona in early February, 2022, ISE is laying the groundwork for the event that won't disappoint on May 10-13, 2022. Below is the press release from ISE. 

ISE teaming up with IOT Solutions World Congress

ISE is joining forces with IOT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC), the largest international event devoted to industry transformation through disruptive technologies. The two events are teaming up at the Fira de Barcelona in May to present an unparalleled ecosystem for digital transformation to professionals from many industries.

The joint celebration of the two events will provide a unique opportunity to explore the crossroads between two different sets of disruptive technologies. Alongside ISE’s experts in audiovisual technology and systems integration, IOTSWC will bring to the table leading experts and companies working on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins, Internet of Things and Quantum Computing. The goal of this co-operation is to highlight the common ground that offers new ideas and inspiration for attendees and exhibitors alike.

The agreement will allow each show’s visitors to access both exhibition areas, at no extra cost, whilst attendees registered to any of the ISE conferences will benefit from a 50% discount on the IOTSWC congress programme – and vice versa.

Directors’ Viewpoints

The directors of both shows are enthusiastic about what this co-operation agreement promises for attendees.

"We are very excited about this agreement. At IOTSWC we believe that some of the key technologies we have been showcasing such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have an incredible transformational potential for the professional AV industry and likewise the AV and systems integration industry can help to develop disruptive new solutions for the digital transformation ecosystem," said Roger Bou, director, IOTSWC

"AV and IT convergence has been the single most important industry trend at ISE over the past decade and the inspiring innovations happening in IoT take this to another level. With our two events now happening at the same time and place this May, it is very exciting to be able to work together and explore even more areas of collaboration. The exciting world of pro AV and the inspiring innovations in IoT make all sorts of possibilities a reality," said Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events

What is IOTSWC?

IOT Solutions World Congress is organised jointly by Fira de Barcelona and the Industry IoT Consortium (IIC), which was founded in 2014 to accelerate the adoption of the Industrial Internet of Things. The IIC “ focuses on driving deployments of innovative technology solutions that digitally transform businesses”. For the 2022 edition—its sixth—IOTSWC is taking the title Game-Changing Solutions for Industry Transformation.

The event identifies four key types of end-user within its visitor profile:

The congress programme at IOTSWC is structured around five themes: Business Optimisation, Artificial Intelligence, Connectivity, Security and Customer Experience. Also taking place alongside IOTSWC is the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress, an annual event co-organised with the Catalan Government.

A Smart Collaboration

Bob Snyder, Content Chair of ISE’s Smart Building Conference and Smart Workplace Summit, is excited about the co-operation between ISE and IOTSWC.

“The AV and IT industries have been coming together for over a decade now – and the technologies championed by IOT Solutions World Congress, such as the Internet of Things, Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence, represent the next step in this progression,” he says. “Just about any kind of ‘smart’ technology environment – such as smart buildings, smart cities, smart workplaces or smart homes – is built around solutions on show at IOTSWC.”

There are compelling reasons why the audience for each show should visit the other, he adds: “ISE attendees should come to IOTSWC to find out what is going on in their key verticals, and get ahead of the curve rather than behind it. IOTSWC delegates should attend the Smart Building Conference, which takes place the day before both exhibitions open, and learn about the latest developments in this important market. Then once the show starts, they should explore the ISE show floor to find the latest smart technology solutions. ISE is the leading show in Europe for smart homes, smart signage and much more besides.”

Without a doubt, 2020 was a tough year for the world. We lost friends and family, we lost colleagues. We shifted our kitchens into home offices, and we became our children’s teachers. Despite these challenges, we embraced technology in new and valuable ways.

Before the term social distancing was part of our everyday nomenclature, videoconferencing and online communications were cost savings tools. Prior to the pandemic, today’s popular platforms—Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype—were used as ways to circumvent travel expenses and expedite planning. Today, we’re at a turning point in the pro AV industry. Videoconferencing and live streaming systems have become essential business tools.

Video production and streaming is here to stay. Embracing the future of pro AV, our industry’s experts recognize where technology has the most potential to shift businesses’ bottom lines. Sales and marketing teams can use video production software, cameras, switchers and other tools to create more engaging social media content and live streams. Videos will replace expensive, printed brochures. The worlds of engagement, education, and entertainment will interweave like never before.

Trends in Broadcasting

Of course, new technologies are also changing the pro AV landscape. NDI, or Network Device Interface, for example, is one of the most widely adopted IP technologies on the market today. A brand of the Vizrt Group, NDI SDK is a royalty-free technology that allows video and audio sources to be shared bi-directionally across a network, eliminating the need for costly direct connections, expensive cable runs, and infrastructure upgrades while turning every source into a destination instantly available anywhere on the network. Dante and Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) are also changing the landscape of IP video transport.

AV Meets IT

The key to growth in pro AV is understanding customers’ immediate needs, future goals, and how both intersect with their IT departments. As organizations continue to adapt, implementing video production and live streaming strategies will be part of the “new normal.” In the process, IT managers will have to support a wide variety of technologies in these organizations. In some cases, IT teams may need to standardize the AV equipment they’re adopting. Upgrading and even replacing equipment that doesn’t fit that standard will be necessary.

The Future Lies with Simplicity

Our industry has a unique opportunity to define the standards that support video communications and live streaming. From the classroom and the boardroom to the sanctuary, AV professionals are leading the charge that will improve communications today and into the future. Paramount among those goals will be to create easy-to-use and manage systems for the end users. Technologies that utilize artificial intelligence, wireless compatibility and touchless systems will be the norm.

While our customers are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, our work lies in providing the most effective, scalable solutions. Pro AV professionals will integrate technologies that fit this “new normal.” From lecture capture systems to live streaming and podcasting studios, these integrations will provide a return on investment for our customers in the form of sales, engagement and public perception. This is the future of production and streaming.

Paul Richards was part of the discussion “What’s Next for Production and Streaming?” at AV³ on June 17, 2021. 

Other stories with Paul Richards, a member of SCN's 2021 class of The Nine:

• Distance and Hybrid Learning Trends in Higher Ed, March 15, 2021
• The Increased Role of PTZs, Feb. 20, 2021
• Touchless Systems: Manufacturers Discuss AV's Latest Trend, Dec. 22, 2020
• Flexibility Is Key for Tech Planning in Capture and Streaming, Aug. 20, 2020
• The PTZ Goes Remote, May 22, 2020

Interactive screens are popping up everywhere you look, from smartphones to Starbucks drive-thrus. Recent data from research firm MarketsandMarkets suggests the interactive display market will grow from $9 billion in 2020 to $13.2 billion by 2025, a compound annual growth rate of 8.1 percent.

With prices steadily dropping as user expectations increase, vendors are taking a close look at the safety and usability of commercial-grade interactive screens. AV professionals hope to leverage the power of next-gen displays to deliver unique engagements that people simply cannot get at home. Artificial intelligence, multitouch, touchless capabilities, and features to enhance remote work are just some of the advancements to consider.

Trending Up?

Business sectors like hospitality were devastated by pandemic travel restrictions, but growth in other segments stayed level—or accelerated. Jeremy Sternhagen, Planar’s technical marketing manager, has observed a shrinking interest in “small-scale meeting rooms, at least for a little while,” but there’s been no dip in sales of Planar’s interactive displays, he said. Indeed, that market is growing. “We have not seen a downward trend for our interactive products,” he explained.

Big-Picture Approach

Now the pressure is on vendors to think beyond the bezel and create agile, easy-to-manage interactive display ecosystems. Cost-effective products are in demand, but hardware alone might not win a bid. A big-picture strategy—encompassing hardware, software, content management, and third-party compatibility—makes sense, according to Osvaldo Velarde, technical director, North America, PPDS (formerly Philips Professional Display Solutions). Velarde sees the importance of a solutions-based approach. “This is why we rebranded as PPDS this year, because we’re looking to provide complete solutions to customers. We want to support any software that will drive business forward.”

PPDS is walking the talk with its C-Line and T-Line interactive display families, designed to support native videoconferencing and seamless collaboration in corporate and learning spaces, respectively. In whiteboard mode, for instance, multiple people can use the T-Line to write or annotate while everything on the screen is streamed to laptops or personal devices. Up to 64 devices can be connected simultaneously. No extra drivers are needed, no additional software is necessary.

[ Related: The Latest in High-End LED Displays ] 

A takeaway: Solutions that can bridge on-site teamwork and virtual collaboration modalities will be in greater demand, even as schools and offices reopen.

LCD, LED

One size fits none—and context is critical when procuring video technology. There are advantages and limitations to both LCD and LED technologies. While LCD occupies the largest market share of interactive displays, the appetite is growing for LEDs. Direct view LEDs let clients expand display real estate far beyond the size of LCD, for larger viewing applications. Planar’s Sternhagen explained that the company’s Planar ERO (Extended Ruggedness and Optics) technology is a “rugged innovation and optical improvement process that makes LCD and LED display products—which are normally fragile, not designed to be touched every day—able to withstand environmental risks such as people touching it or objects or backpacks banging against it.”

[ Related: Touchless Systems: Manufacturers Discuss AV's Latest Trend ] 

Ever-Changing Use Cases

The use cases for interactive displays are as varied as the products themselves. Educational clients want to digitize their environments. Some corporations are deploying high-tech amenities to entice people back into the office while continuing to support hybrid/flex workers.

Customers may be uncertain about the future, but they still want to be prepared. To that end, Barco is emphasizing BYOD (bring your own device) and BYOM (bring your own meeting) solutions. To see these systems in action, tour Barco’s new office in Singapore, which houses the new Barco Experience Center. The space is a showcase of interactive displays and AV technologies—LED, LCD, and collaboration tools—that accommodate the hybrid/remote collaboration culture.

IoT, Wayfinding, & Touchless Interaction

Universities, worship facilities, retail, transport hubs, and corporate campuses have new reasons to invest in digital wayfinding and data capture. Highly responsive, sensor-aware flat-panel displays can help move people through spaces more efficiently while sharing institutional messaging (e.g., hours of operation) or health/safety information (e.g., mask protocols).

Sam Malik of Maxhub pointed to all-in-one displays as valuable tools in the post-COVID landscape. “An area where I’ve seen a surge is direct view LED displays,” he said. “They are easy to service and easy to install. Prices are now much lower, and the technology has advanced. Our all-in-one LED displays, from 110 inches through 220 inches, have gained a lot of popularity for applications where there was typically an interactive flat panel, but now the touch element is not desired. [Our solutions] are extremely bright.”

[ Related: Choosing the Right Interactive Display for Classrooms ] 

Maxhub offers a range of LED and LCD displays, some with built-in cameras and voice pick-up capabilities. Content can be updated and changed instantly.

IoT connectivity and videoconferencing are becoming essential features in the new business environment. ViewSonic’s ViewBoard IFP70 interactive display series, for example, have been certified by Microsoft as Windows Collaboration Displays (WCD) that incorporate the Azure IoT sensor hub.

It’s important to note that “interactivity” isn’t defined solely by the physical touch of a screen. Customizable screens can be tied to cameras and sensors to track motion. A screen can be activated and personalized to share information relevant to the person walking or driving by it. Enhanced with robust software, QR codes, RFID, mobile interactions, or other modes of touchless BYOD feedback, new displays can help to eliminate the need to physically touch public devices.

A “touchless” display strategy can also help minimize the impact of person-to-person contact, such as cashiers or ticket agents. Occupancy counting can be managed with signage software, rather than a paid staff member.

Capacity Awareness, Queue Management

Facilities stakeholders concerned about occupancy and capacity management are exploring solutions like PeopleCount from PPDS. PeopleCount can equip managers with the information they need to manage capacity, while also keeping customers engaged with promotional and safety messaging. To see the technology in situ, stroll into the H&M store in Hoog Catherijne, Netherlands, where it’s installed. The PeopleCount single-entrance solution uses a Bosch Flexidome IP Micro 3000i intelligent camera, which is connected to a PPDS bespoke app. No internet connection is required to make the Android-powered Philips PDS digital signage work. The solution has since extended to support not only retail, but corporate offices, supermarkets, bars, and restaurants.

Sanitization

“We’re working hard to come up with treatments that allow displays to be sanitized on a daily basis,” said Planar’s Sternhagen. “We are one of the few companies that actually has LED products that can be cleaned. Particularly when you add Planar ERO-LED proprietary protective coating to video walls, it can be something as simple as spraying a cloth and then wiping the display down like it’s a window.”

[ Related: How Video Walls Can Bridge the Virtual Chasm ]

Hygiene is also a priority for MultiTaction. Decca (MT 557D) is MultiTaction’s new interactive display with advanced hardware and internal processing power (increased by 30 percent). MultiTaction’s Decca offers an easily sanitized antimicrobial display surface to meet “today’s business challenges head-on,” according to a statement by Ari Rahkonen, CEO, MultiTaction.

Get Smarter

Dovetailing with IoT, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being used to enhance the interactive display experience. Facial and iris recognition, biometrics, temperature sensing, and sophisticated handwriting analysis and annotation are a few of the features that may prove particularly useful in the post-pandemic landscape. The 2021 Interactive Display Market report by MarketsandMarkets pointed to AI as an emerging technology that will provide “huge opportunities for the interactive whiteboard market” specifically.

[ Related: How AI Is Transforming Pro AV, Facial Recognition and Pro AV: What You Need to Know ]

Click here to read more stories from the April 2021 issue of SCN.

The AV industry is all about innovation. But for the past year, our creative energies have been devoted not to shaping the future, but solving the problems of the present. 

But larger trends are nonetheless having incremental influence over the direction we’re heading. As the powerful capabilities of things like 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing direct the technology world as a whole, how is pro AV incorporating them to create a more capable and intuitive future? 

Related: Tech Trends That WON’T Happen in 2021

We reached out to leading AV manufacturers to find out how prominent emerging trends are playing into their product development roadmaps.

Biamp

Joe Andrulis

Unlike most consumer- or commercial-grade products that are limited in the size and complexity of the problems they address, pro AV solutions can be configured and optimized for nearly any task, environment, and audio or video challenge. An ongoing problem for integrators is finding, training, and retaining skilled technicians who can program and tune pro AV systems properly to take advantage of their full potential.

New technologies present an exciting opportunity to help integrators and tech managers address this challenge by automating many of the mundane tasks that absorb precious time of these valuable workers. Modern systems can often automatically detect and configure the various pieces of equipment connected in a system, measure audio and video characteristics of the environment, make basic tuning and optimization decisions, and offer recommendations on how to overcome detected challenges, allowing technicians to focus on higher-value tasks. The result is faster, more consistent installations that are more profitable for the integrator. 

New technologies will benefit end users as well. End users can be overwhelmed or distracted by complex AV gear. To make the benefits of these systems more accessible to even untrained users, we can use automation, natural language processing, predictive analysis, and other techniques to anticipate and satisfy users’ needs without their command or need to respond to spoken commands and gestures, making the AV systems a more transparent and natural tool for all users.

Crestron

Andrew Ludke

More and more AV devices have moved to the edge of the network where they provide a gateway to and from the network. We believe this will be further accelerated by the increased bandwidth and low power consumption of 5G-capable devices running micro apps locally and feeding data aggregators at the edge of the network that connect to cloud applications. 

Network-connected AV edge devices are now important sources of data that can be aggregated in cloud applications to support new AI, ML, and BI applications (Big Data). With the growing number of devices, managing this technology ecosystem at scale while enabling unparalleled levels of business insight and integration is a challenge that is being addressed by solutions like Crestron XiO Cloud and our VC-4 platform. These virtualized and cloud-based solutions will continue to expand in capability and reach, upending traditional AV system provisioning, monitoring, and management and control methodologies.

These innovative solutions enable support for all devices, including third-party and legacy, which provides a total solution. This also delivers investment protection and brings new levels of insight and capabilities. We can now monitor and manage all devices, whether new and old or first-party, third-party, intelligent, and relatively basic devices.

With robust APIs to ensure easy integration and access to data, these solutions are driving new business models and a whole new world of connected, intelligent, and automated services. Crestron will continue to make cloud-connected solutions a core tenant of our product strategy, building native cloud connectivity into every product and solution we develop. 5G networking, cloud computing, analytics, big data, and AI/ML/BI applications will enable new business and service models for provisioning, monitoring, remote troubleshooting, and more. It is this synthesis of technologies that we believe is most exciting.

Harman

Jamie Trader

AI is less of an emerging technology as it is a way of thinking about the role and progress of programming. Artificial intelligence, since the 60s, is just about deriving computational decisions based on the outcomes of other computational results. The math has gotten harder as the data inputs have increased exponentially since then, but the technology principle persists.

The real evolution of pro AV has come from the on-demand availability of system storage, computational power, and the distributed functions associated with cloud computing. For example, it’s cloud computing’s enablement of the modern soft codec that has universally transformed what corporate AV systems are designed to accommodate.

Employing more cloud computing in technology design, pro AV is able to better recognize and solve for the complex needs of the technology user with scale, efficiency, and simplicity. But more importantly, it’s transforming the tools and work streams that commercial integrators leverage to design, configure, commission, program, measure, manage, and monetize these systems. 

Enabling and improving this commercial transformation through the use of cloud computing is both exciting and necessary to pro AV—and what you can continue to expect from iconic Harman brands including AMX and BSS.

Kramer

Yuval Kramer

From a professional AV perspective, we focus on integration. Within Kramer specifically, we deliver end-to-end solutions that provide users with a complete package. The subject of this integration however has shifted since emerging technologies including AI, 5G, and the cloud have been in play. 

We are no longer focused on connecting boxes now; as spaces are becoming smarter, we are focused on connecting the people to the system. The new role of AV is to make sure that the people are running the space, not that the space is running the people. 

The impact of AI on this is that it can anticipate what people want to do by the actions that they are performing, and we can build in more automation. If they go to the podium in a lecture theatre, for example, they probably want to start presenting, so the microphone needs to be on, their content needs to appear on the screen, the camera could start recording, and a simple UI could appear that allows them to control their slideshow without explanation. 

Of all the new developments, I think 5G and low-energy wireless communication signals, like Bluetooth 5.0, are the most exciting. By removing the challenges of bandwidth, we remove a lot of the limitations and people won’t just be able to work from anywhere, they will be able to work from anywhere efficiently. With no wires, we can also reimagine the way we design spaces to be more efficient and present new opportunities.

QSC

Martin Barbour

Big Data offers users the opportunity to learn more about their organization’s behavior in order to make better, more informed decisions. Our industry has used big data for space planning, technology purchasing decisions, and other areas of facilities management for years, but combined with other technologies such as AI and Machine Learning, the opportunities expand rapidly. With this information at our fingertips, data-driven automation is more achievable and operations support is simplified, like ensuring the required resources are available for a given meeting, or creating the opportunity to move a meeting to a room that better suits the topic. Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager remote monitoring and management service lays the groundwork for users to aggregate large amounts of data from its entire AV estate (regardless of where its located in the world), and begin to realize the business outcomes afforded by having this new visibility of assets.

With the introduction of the Q-SYS Core 5200, QSC proved that proprietary hardware was not the cornerstone of delivering integrated audio, video, and control solution; it could be delivered as a software application, namely the Q-SYS Core OS. Several years ago, QSC demonstrated this by working with Dell to couple the Q-SYS Core OS with existing a common off-the-shelf server based on Intel x86 architecture. This opened up a massive opportunity to leverage other x86-capable hardware as a deployment solution for Q-SYS. 

Furthermore, QSC recognized Cloud Computing as a mature technology where we could once again leverage mainstream and proven technology for certain aspects of our growing and evolving Q-SYS platform. Because of the platform’s IT foundation, we were able to again extend customer value by adding a cloud-based RMM solution, Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager. 

Sony

Rich Ventura

With COVID putting health and wellness in the spotlight, AI, facial detection/recognition, sensors, and data have taken an interesting turn. In the past, consumers were concerned about sharing their data and personal information for fear of how it was being used. Today, our culture has become more open about sharing these insights as it pertains to the wellbeing and safety of themselves and others and we recognize the value of solutions like contact tracing. We understand and seek comfort in infrared temperature scans when we enter a building. While privacy is still a primary concern, we are realizing that technology is helping to facilitate beneficial and critical information and experiences that contribute to people’s livelihood.

The pandemic has also accelerated a move to touchless solutions, driving a resurgence in technologies like QR codes, which are now implemented in everything from restaurants to healthcare lobbies and even smart TV setup, to make the process hands-free or centralized through our personal devices. The information being gathered through sources like QR codes is helping to deliver more programmatic and tailored experiences based on the engagement. I expect even more creative uses of technology to come to the forefront as we seek new ways to foster engagement, customize experiences, promote collaboration, and move toward a safer and smarter future.

The What: Navori Labs has launched Aquaji, an AI-driven marketing analytics software designed to improve the customer experience in physical environments, including brick and mortar stores, restaurants, and shopping malls, and enhance digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising. Aquaji counts unique visitors and gathers demographic data, length of stay, wait time and attention span KPIs over segmented time slots spanning from hours to months. 

The What Else: The Aquaji launch follows three years of Navori Labs research and development in applied artificial intelligence. The homegrown solution leverages computer vision software to analyze and assess visitor metrics, behavioral patterns, and marketing activities in ways that helps businesses better manage their physical spaces. The software differs from existing products by combining the latest mathematical models of computer vision, which improves the accuracy rate for detection from the standard 60 percent to 95 percent.

Related: Navori Labs Launches QL Access Control for Occupancy Regulation

Aquaji identifies and recognizes each visitor while thoroughly protecting visitor anonymity using face and body detection and coding instead of facial recognition. A unique key for each individual, created through aggregate data (attributes), ensures that Aquaji can distinguish between staff and customers, with no duplicates or false positives. This provides marketers and store managers with reliable and comparable data to measure performance in physical spaces. For example, retail chains can apply Aquaji’s rich data to strategize product placement decisions, measure advertising campaign appeal, and allocate human resources assets. The latter is especially useful for adjusting staff allocations based on visitor foot traffic, dwell times, and customer wait times at entrances, in checkout lines and across other locations.

Businesses that monetize their networks with Aquaji, along with their advertisers, also benefit through comprehensive anonymized audience demographic data, visitor attributes, and ad impression metrics that help them precisely calculate efficiency ratios. Aquaji’s native API will also send audience information to programmatic platforms that help advertisers re-evaluate ad content and placement decisions, and access data to feed their internal business intelligence platforms and data science systems for deeper analysis.

Businesses that use Aquaji for marketing analytics have the added benefit of smooth integration with Navori QL digital signage software, a proven enterprise-level solution that powers some of the world’s largest digital out-of-home networks. When paired, businesses can more effectively target the right content for audiences using QL’s context-aware digital signage automation, and adjust based on programmed scenarios and live camera feeds.

“Navori Labs has developed several new innovative applications through our investment in computer vision technology, and Aquaji is a true breakthrough as a turnkey AI-driven solution for physical business growth,” said Jerome Moeri, CEO, Navori Labs. “Digital signage software and marketing analytics have long been disparate pieces of the customer experience, with the former focused on messaging and content delivery, and the latter responsible for audience measurement and qualification. We now offer true interoperability across visual communication and business intelligence through a complete omnichannel marketing approach. We are empowering physical businesses with a more interactive and fully integrated solution to improve their customer experience strategy and overall business performance.”

The Bottom Line: Aquaji helps businesses understand consumer habits and profiles, create new opportunities for growth and profitability through stronger visitor engagement, and support a more thorough business intelligence ecosystem.

Aquaji is designed for quick and simple setup with new or existing security cameras, and is immediately available for cloud deployment. An on-premise version will soon follow, providing users with two affordable and high-performance marketing analytics solutions to serve everything from single-site systems up through to the world’s largest DOOH networks.

The What: Navori Labs has launched QL Access Control, a new feature available as an add-on to its forthcoming QL digital signage software that enables retailers and public spaces to monitor and secure entry and exit traffic in compliance with the latest health regulations. 

The What Else: QL Access Control utilizes Navori Labs’ recently announced Computer Vision artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which enables in-depth crowd analysis and content triggering based on real-time visual data and events. Visitor privacy is assured, as Computer Vision does not store, re-use, or disseminate personal data. In the context of QL Access Control, the AI applies silhouette detection (including the detection of face masks), but not facial recognition.

Related: BrightSign Unveils Touchless Engagement Solutions 

QL Access Control provides value through real-time calculations and evaluations of visitors on premises. The software counts, screens, and guides visitors; detects whether or not visitors are wearing protective masks, and identifies specific details about fabric types, shapes, colors, and patterns of each mask worn; monitors multiple entry points simultaneously; and gives users the flexibility to set and adjust occupancy instructions. 

“QL Access Control was specially designed to safeguard organizations by helping them to comply with local health and safety regulations, and to optimize ROI with an enhanced customer experience and reduced security costs,” said Jerome Moeri, CEO, Navori Labs. “Its automated, real-time functionality gives users the information they require to keep their operations running smoothly, while providing them with the peace of mind they need to focus on their core business.”

The Bottom Line: QL Access Control automatically manages visitor traffic via interactive digital signage combined with proprietary video tracking technology, and allows users to customize content in conjunction with their own venue-specific rules. Multiple inputs and outputs are available for facilities with more than one entrance and exit, and the software interoperates with security cameras for live streaming and monitoring purposes.

The What: Creative Realities announced the launch of an AI-integrated, contactless temperature inspection station.  The ThermalMirror is a turnkey, plug-and-play solution that addresses the urgent need for businesses and employers to build consumer and employee confidence as the world goes back to work as stay-at-home orders are reduced or relieved throughout the United States. It is available immediately.

The What Else:  Rick Mills, Chief Executive Officer, remarked, "Due to COVID-19, every single vertical we serve is facing the challenge of how to mitigate fears of safely visiting and returning to work, irrespective of industry. Our core business is built around technologies that inspire better customer experiences, and this is the most critical barrier brands and businesses are facing today."

"We felt an obligation to assist in addressing this concern, and we believe that the ThermalMirror is an ideal solution," Mills continues. "We’re able to put our digital integration experience to work, to wrap the software interface with a customized experience designed for virtually every commercial use case. Moreover, we can capture analytics that help our clients meet their operational, compliance and HR requirements.”

The ThermalMirror leverages thermal technology, which captures infrared radiation from objects and creates an electronic image and results based on temperature differences. Thermal cameras have been used before, but have been cost prohibitive to significantly scale up their use. By integrating the technology with an AI-enabled software platform powered by our partners, InReality, important functionality like response customization, analytics, networking and synchronizing of ThermalMirrors, anomaly alerts and compliance logs for legal audit trails become available, making them more practical for large-scale use.

 “CRI and InReality are technology companies, but this challenge starts with human psychology. The fact is, we don’t have all the facts. When perception is reality, this is one thing we can do now. It’s important that we’re sensitive-we don’t know how people and employees will respond to each new circumstance that comes about as a result of COVID-19," comments Laura Davis-Taylor, InReality Chief Strategy Officer. "We see our responsibility as creating the most effective interaction design possible while working to meet compliance requirements. The partnership with CRI allows us to design, develop and deliver a rapid solution at the speed and scale the marketplace requires at this very vulnerable time in our lives.” 

The Bottom Line:  What makes the ThermalMirror a safe space solution is the artificial intelligence and full analytics capabilities behind it. Combined with the ability for to data integrate with other cloud-based systems, as well as networking, this becomes an enterprise level solution that elevates its position in the marketplace. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the next big thing for video. Companies such as Pexip and Sony are harnessing AI-enabled video platforms to make presentations and videoconferences easier to execute and better to watch.

[AI Meets AV in Higher Ed]

Here is what both companies have come up with in this area, plus insights into how AI-enriched video analytics can make life simpler for everyone, how this technology can protect participant privacy, and where artificial intelligence for presentations and videoconferences is headed next.

Pexip’s AI Approach

Pexip’s entry into AI-enabled video analytics is called Adaptive Composition, which the company bills as “the first AI-powered technology designed to put people, not systems, at the heart of the meeting experience,” according to Jordan Owens, Pexip’s VP of architecture. In plain language, Adaptive Composition’s ability to autonomously manage key elements of meetings allows participants to focus on themselves and their content, rather than staying within the limits of their technology.

Adaptative Composition’s auto-framing function “automatically frames the camera shots around the participants’ faces, ensuring that no one appears off-center or distant in the presenting room,” Owens said. This provides a more naturalistic look to multi-site meetings, and avoids the awkwardness that can occur when presenters are half in frame or too far away to be clearly seen onscreen. (Pexip’s AI-enabled auto-framing is device-agnostic, by the way.)

Meanwhile, Adaptive Composition’s intelligent layout function makes sure that the most active rooms in a multi-site videoconference are given priority, along with the most active speakers. This is in contrast to basic voice/sound detection technology, which can maximize the view of a room with two people in it above all others, just because one of them happened to cough. Again, the result of using AI-enabled video analytics is a more natural flow to multi-site meetings, with improved AV management allowing the technology to recede into the background.

Pexip will introduce Adaptive Composition this year as a tech preview in version 23 of Pexip’s the company’s self-hosted software, Pexip Infinity.

Sony’s Take on AI

Sony’s Edge Analytics Appliance (REA-C1000) is a different approach to AI. It is a physical device that can be licensed to do one of five AI-enabled tasks: handwriting extraction, PTZ camera auto tracking, close-up by gesture, chromakey-less CG overlays on backgrounds, and focus area cropping. To add a second function, a second appliance and license are required.

The Edge Analytics Appliance is designed to improve many aspects of distance learning, multi-site presentations, and videoconferences. For instance, “In handwriting extraction mode, the Edge Analytics Appliance can capture what a professor is writing on a whiteboard, and then add it to a continuously updated digital overlay,” said Sony product manager Drew Buttress. If need be, the professor can be made semi-transparent on screen to ensure that the writing isn’t blocked to the viewers. They can see everything that is being written as the professor writes it, no matter what happens.

In close up by gesture mode, the Edge Analytics Appliance displays a 4K camera view of the entire audience. “When someone in the audience stands up, we produce a 1080p close-up of that person until they sit down,” Buttress said. “Once seated, the Edge goes back to the wide 4K view of the audience."

Sony’s chromakey-less CG overlays extracts the presenter’s live image from the shot and overlays it over any CG background that the operator selects, no green/blue screen required. This makes it possible to make presentations more visually compelling with a minimum of production equipment. Finally, the Edge Analytics Appliance’s focus area cropping mode allows a single camera feed to be used for two shots: A 4K wide shot of the speaker and his or her surroundings, plus a 1080p close up of the speaker.

Making Life Better for Everyone

Both Pexip’s and Sony’s AI solutions enhance the visual quality of distance communication while simplifying the production process. For example, using artificial intelligence to keep the participants in frame eliminates the need for human camera operators and the “amateur hour” appearance when non-AI-enabled systems fail to track participants accurately and smoothly.

Somewhat paradoxically, the use of artificial intelligence in multi-site presentations and videoconferences can make the experience feel less artificial. “With our handwriting extraction feature, for instance, the students can see what’s being written on the whiteboard clearly in addition to the teacher’s face and body language,” Buttress said. This makes the presentation experience more true-to-life and less mechanical; AI helps the technology get out of the way of the human interaction.

“With AI-enabled video analytics, participants across multiple sites have a more seamless and natural experience,” Owens said. “They don’t have their experience disrupted by worrying about being in the frame, or having someone interrupt their presentation to ask, ‘Could you please zoom in because I can’t see you?’”

AV technology managers who use AI-enabled video platforms will find their working lives less stressful, because their meetings will run smoother as this technology assumes many duties previously assigned to humans or other less-capable mechanical systems. The result is happier users, fewer presentation issues, and a reduced workload for AV staff.

Protecting Privacy

By its very nature, AI-controlled technology is highly programmable. This means that AV managers can set whatever parameters are necessary to protect participant privacy, subject to the organization’s rules that govern these matters.

Granted, some of these limits are a function of equipment deployment rather than AI. “In schools, we can’t show students’ faces due to privacy issues,” Buttress said. “This is why the cameras are set up to shoot the teachers at the front of the room and the back of students’ heads.” 

Still, there are times when everybody’s faces are shown and yet privacy is still an issue, such as a corporate multi-site town hall meeting that isn’t open to the general public. 

In these cases, an AI-enabled video system can automatically impose whatever level of encryption and routing is required to keep everything private. “This includes graphical information that is being shared inside the meeting itself, such as facial recognition in aid of auto-tracking,” Owens said. “This data is protected within the system itself.”

What’s to Come

Today’s AI-powered video platforms are just the start of what is possible with AI-enabled AV equipment. 

Sony’s Drew Buttress can foresee a time when “video analytics are incorporated into the processing that goes into augmented realty and virtual reality to provide more realistic experiences.” Meanwhile, Pexip’s Jordan Owens is more taken with the idea of AI making all aspects of AV multi-site presentations more naturalistic and seamless to participants. “We’re looking at that now: trying not just to create better face-to-face communications, but driving better overall meeting experiences across the board,” he said.

One thing is certain: Today’s AI-enabled video platforms are just scratching the surface of what is possible with this technology. Some day in the future, AI may be managing all aspects of multi-site meetings so efficiently and smoothly, that no one will even notice the AV equipment that makes these meetings possible.

A broad range of technologies, lifestyle trends, and business needs are coming together in ways that promise to make 2020 a pivotal and promising year for commercial AV resellers and manufacturers, according to Kevin Kelly, president and CEO of Stampede. 

“Technology has evolved from being a utility that enhances productivity to an experience that anchors everything we do at work, at home, at school, and all the places we travel to in between,” Kelly said. “The AV experience has become central to our daily lives in all walks of life and those companies that can deliver an experience are going to thrive in the new year just getting underway. Those who can’t will continue to see their products and businesses become increasingly commoditized. Value, margin, and profit increasingly are to be found upstream, away from the mainstream of easily shopped and priced online solutions.”

[Stampede Announces 2020 Big Book of AV Tour Stops]

According to Kelly, the key to delivering a high value experience that preserves margin and profit for all involved resides in designing and installing system solutions that deliver a higher level of engagement than can be found inexpensively online. “Packaged system solutions delivering good-better-best-choice options build around the combination of both software and hardware present solid growth opportunities for manufacturers and all types of retailers, resellers, and integrators. In particular, audio manufacturers have a remarkable because it is a critically important component of being able to deliver a quality experience.”

In hospitality, the customer experience is increasingly digital as more and more hotels leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable guests to enjoy all of their devices as well as control the guest room’s heating, AC, room access, television, lighting, and shades with their smartphone. Displays are being upgraded everywhere to further enhance the in-room and public area customer experience. “The need to install larger-sized 4K, OLED, and even 8K displays is becoming more urgent throughout the hospitality industry. In fact, if there was more content available, 8K would really take off.”

The opportunities on the operational side of hospitality are even bigger, Kelly stressed. “Artificial intelligence and voice-controlled customer service, virtual reality-based room and property previews, augmented reality in local tourist attractions and restaurants, facial recognition for security and panic buttons for employees and guests—all of these areas offer growth opportunities for AV resellers and manufacturers that didn’t exist before.”

[Stampede to Rebrand as Exertis Pro AV]

Business models are also evolving, Kelly noted, thanks to the fact that hardware bundled with software subscription services is becoming much more common throughout the industry and not just in the area of unified communications. As a result, AV as a service is finally coming into its own in 2020. “The reality is that for more and more end-user customers, it no longer makes sense to own the equipment,” Kelly said. “They can just as easily lease it from the reseller or the manufacturer as a service that can be updated as needed and expensed as a lease payment. It works for everyone and it’s really going to catch fire this year.”

Consolidation is another trend that is going to continue to impact the industry, he predicted. “More manufacturers are going to acquire their growth through acquisitions and the same is true for resellers and distributors. Stampede, for one, is going to very aggressively pursue distributors who share our commitment to value added services and can add to our overall volume.”

Finally, Kelly said 2020 is going to be the year sees direct view LED displays go mainstream in every vertical market, at the expense of LCD displays and projection systems. “The difference in display quality overwhelms any short-term design and installation issues and the prices are now at a point where they create a true tipping point for the industry.”

The same is true for other technologies that have been slowly percolating for the last several years, including lower priced, feature-rich drones that are customized for specific verticals; virtual reality as a tool that accelerates design across all verticals and generates a new revenue stream for resellers; and, of course, 5G, which Kelly said will change everything in ways known and unknown.

“It’s time to buckle up and profit from the opportunities these new trends and technologies are creating,” Kelly said. “The future always belongs to the bold who are not afraid to invest in the ideas of the future. Our commitment to investing in the future has never been stronger than it is today. We embrace challenge as the gateway to future opportunity and growth for us and for our partners.”

The What: Pexip has announced Adaptive Composition, a new AI-powered technology designed to enhance the meeting experience. With real-time face detection, auto-framing, and optimized use of screen real estate, Pexip’s meeting experience works with any camera-enabled device and empowers people to engage with each other in a better way.

[Pexip to Offer Free Cloud Video Interop Capabilities for Microsoft Teams Rooms, Surface Hub 2 Customers]

The What Else: Often, users do not realize how their video camera is framed in a meeting, causing them to appear off-centered or small in a large room. By automatically framing participants for an optimal view, users have a more natural, engaging experience. Adaptive Composition is device-agnostic and works with any camera or video system; it also improves the capability of room-based camera framing.

Traditional meeting services rely solely on basic voice detection to determine who is featured. When a person or group makes noise, other groups are often demoted to a smaller view, making people’s expressions and reactions less visible. Pexip’s Adaptive Composition prioritizes rooms with more people, in addition to the active speakers, to ensure the most active rooms remain featured at all times. It also makes better use of screen real estate by reducing the unused white space around video feeds.

Pexip’s new meeting experience gives hosts the information they need to reduce disruptions during the meeting. New embedded meeting indicators show attendee count, audio-only users, and lock and recording status, so both hosts and attendees can focus on the meeting itself. In addition, display names appear when participants speak, ensuring that speakers are easily identified even without reaching the top of the meeting layout. This creates a less distracting user interface and allows individual speakers to remain in focus.

“We want to make virtual meetings just as effective as in-person meetings,” said Giles Chamberlin, chief technology officer, Pexip. “With our AI-driven, video-first meeting approach, we’re putting every person on an equal footing to ensure that everyone can be seen and heard. By removing complexity for end users, we can deliver an outstanding meeting experience for organizations around the world.”

“The meeting experience is often broken due to the complexity of technology and user experience challenges,” said Rob Arnold, principal analyst, Frost & Sullivan. “With Adaptive Composition, Pexip is taking an innovative, human-centered approach to enhance the user experience through automation that allows the technology to get out of the way and empowers meeting participants to focus on collaboration. While others are attempting to achieve this from a room perspective (i.e. zooming at camera level), Pexip is solving this at the platform level to provide a device-agnostic solution that works with the technology you already have.”

The Bottom Line: While dedicated video system and camera manufacturers offer similar framing functionality at the device level, Pexip brings this experience to any participant, regardless of whether they join a meeting through a video room system, browser, or app. Adaptive Composition will be available as a tech preview in version 23 of Pexip’s self-hosted software, Pexip Infinity, expected to launch in Q1 of this year.

Veritone, creator of the artificial intelligence operating system, aiWARE, has announced that Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants have selected its AI solutions to bring its 60-year media archive to life and drive an advanced fan engagement strategy. Veritone aiWARE will enable rapid content search and accelerated asset sharing with media, global partners, internal stakeholders including web and social media teams, and fans during live games in the ballpark.

"Next season will be a milestone for the Giants, as we will celebrate our 20th year in Oracle Park,” said Paul Hodges, vice president of San Francisco Giants (SFG) Productions. “We want to commemorate this special anniversary by highlighting and connecting memorable moments from the past with the present. To make this happen, we had to find new ways to access our massive archives, turn thousands of hours of footage into searchable content, and accelerate our delivery workflows. Veritone provides us with an end-to-end solution that allows us to do exactly that—and without major systems revamp or resource requirements on our end."

As soon as content from live games, archives, interviews, press conferences, and any other media source has been ingested, Veritone aiWARE orchestrates multiple cognitive AI engines to automatically transcribe the audio, recognize faces, and run other selected cognition to create in-depth metadata in near-real time. With much more comprehensive metadata, large volumes of content can now be easily searched by keywords, describing specific athletes, locations, logos, play-by-play commentary, and more. As a result, the SFG Productions team can reveal relevant clips from decades of content within minutes to enrich live games, social media, and more with contextual, engaging historic moments.

The AI-powered application Veritone Digital Media Hub makes these clips available securely in the cloud, allowing for accelerated content delivery, utilization, and monetization. The branded portal is permission-based and provides centralized access to all assets from anywhere. Digital Media Hub features AI-enabled search functionality that allows users to find specific moments, preview and download mezzanine files, and share assets faster than ever. In addition to making videos and audio available to fans quickly and enriching the fan experience through highly curated, relevant content in the moment, the SFG Productions team saves significant time and frees up resources to focus on the creative execution of the fan engagement strategy.

"Veritone is empowering the San Francisco Giants with a comprehensive yet easy-to-use AI solution that will not only surface powerful moments that have been locked up in their static archives, but also help the team deliver those moments to fans in new and exciting ways," said Veritone president Ryan Steelberg. "We're honored to be working with the Giants to continue to advance fan engagement by maximizing the value and activation of their media assets through the use of AI by Veritone."

ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm, examined the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video and highlighted some of the hot tech innovators in the space. From content creation through distribution, companies are rapidly moving to AI and machine learning (ML) to create efficiencies and maximize value throughout video workflows. In doing so, AI/ML is helping operators and content producers better compete and adjust to a changing content landscape, while simultaneously opening the door for more companies to participate in the video market.

“While the big four—Amazon/AWS, Google, IBM Watson, and Microsoft—deservedly garner a significant amount of attention, the diversity of companies leveraging AI within the video space is remarkable, especially considering how quickly the technology has shifted from a hot topic to actual solutions and deployment,” said Michael Inouye, principal analyst at ABI Research. “In truth, AI has a longer history in the market, but its adoption has certainly accelerated within this past year and will continue to do so moving forward.” 

On the core video side, companies like Nagra, TiVo, and ThinkAnalytics are employing AI to gain valuable insights into subscribers, reduce churn, and maximize revenue potential, while others like Irdeto and Synamedia are working to protect investments and revenue potential by targeting piracy or credential sharing. This facet of the market expands well beyond the normal video players and in some ways, there is a new wave of video democratization for enterprise and businesses. Companies like Wibbitz, GliaCloud, and Magisto are already working with leading publishers, brands, and businesses, leveraging AI/ML to create and edit video content to enhance existing content, and for applications like training and marketing.

“AI and the automation it can enable might lead some to conclude we are seeing the removal of the human element, but it isn’t a replacement,” Inouye said. “Rather, AI is helping companies make more informed decisions and engender efficiencies to handle a growing workload while maintaining a high level of performance.”

Valossa, for example, specializes in video compliance using AI to help broadcasters’ and services’ human teams monitor the increasing volumes of video and audio they distribute to ensure it meets set levels of standards and appropriateness.

“As video use and consumption grow, AI is becoming an essential ingredient to help companies meet this demand, particularly if the pervasive screen awaits us in the future,” Inouye said.

These findings are from ABI Research’s Artificial Intelligence in Video Hot Tech Innovators report. This report is part of the company’s Video and Cloud Services research service, which includes research, data, and Executive Foresights. Hot Tech Innovators reports focus on companies at the forefront of transformational innovation, particularly those that are younger and less well-known than the incumbents, at the technological forefront of their markets, developing new business models, destabilizing the current market and prime acquisition targets.

The What: Sony has launched its first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Edge Analytics solution, the REA-C1000, which allows users to create video content in real time, without the need for specialized training, additional staff, or equipment.

The What Else: The compact and lightweight REA-C1000 uses AI-based video analytics technology to analyze the input it receives from connected cameras and automatically extracts the object in focus to combine it with other images in real time on a GPU (Graphics Processor Unit). This technology, using motion/face detection and color/shape recognition, effectively makes the REA-C1000 the brain of any connected camera and AV setup, allowing education, government, and corporate organizations to create professional content that keeps audiences engaged.

“Video content has become a key method of communication in many organizations, including education, government, and corporate environments, where the demand for solutions that create high-quality content, offer a hassle-free shooting experience, and help distribute content quickly is rapidly increasing,” said Mark Bonifacio, director of education sales and marketing, Sony Electronics. “At Sony, we want to provide organizations that have a limited budget with solutions that are cost-effective, yet allow them to easily create professional and engaging video content. The REA-C1000 is yet another example of Sony working with our AV partners in corporate, education, and government organizations to create solutions that help solve real-life technology and budget challenges.”

The REA-C1000, planned to be available in spring 2019, comes with the following optional features:

Handwriting Extraction and Presenter Overlay

By optimizing parameters and processing the images received from the camera, the REA-C1000 can extract handwritten objects from black and white boards using Sony's moving/unmoving object detection algorithm. This allows audiences to clearly see written content and diagrams, while simultaneously being able to see the gestures and expressions of the presenter. This function of the REA-C1000 is particularly well suited for lecture theaters or remote learning to keep students engaged, even if they aren't physically in the same room as their teacher. Additionally, it helps all members of an audience to engage in a live presentation, in a large hall requiring sub-monitors.

Chroma Keyless CG Overlay

Based on Sony's motion detection technology, the REA-C1000's chroma keyless function can extract the presenter and overlay them onto any background without the need for a dedicated green screen or specialized training. This offers an effective chroma-key solution to make content like corporate videos, interviews, webinars, and e-learning materials much more appealing and engaging. This feature will be made available through a future software update later in 2019.

PTZ Auto Tracking

The REA-C1000 can accurately and smoothly track a presenter, ensuring they constantly stay in frame and in focus throughout their presentation. This feature offers users a cost-effective tracking solution in an education, corporate, or conference setting, without having to invest in a camera operator.

Focus Area Cropping

Using this feature, an image from one camera can be simultaneously shown as two different output images. Users are able to get an overview image in 4K and a cropped image in HD. The cropped area is selectable to be static or dynamic to follow the speaker’s movement. This feature will be made available through a future software update later in 2019.

Close-up by Gesture

The REA-C1000 can detect and react to the gestures of audience members, showing both the whole image and zoomed image in real time. When an audience member stands up, the REA-C1000 can trigger the camera to electronically auto-zoom in on that person, which is particularly useful in educational environments to measure students’ reaction and incorporate presentation settings, such as during a Q&A session.

After an initial 60-day free-of-charge trial period, each feature can be activated permanently through separate licenses, providing users with the freedom to customize features based on their individual needs and budget.

The Bottom Line: Leveraging Sony’s imaging expertise and its heritage in camera development, the REA-C1000 will support 4K/HD input and output, and will be able to connect directly to Sony’s PTZ cameras, including its range of XDCAM camcorders, which are are widely used within the broadcast industry. Additionally, with HDMI network connection, the REA-C1000 can integrate into various common AV setups involving either multiple displays, large-screen projections with monitors, or even live-streaming projects.

Visitors to ISE 2019 will be able to experience an interactive demonstration of the REA-C1000 on Sony’s stand 1.N20 at RAI Amsterdam.

Integrated Systems Europe has announced that Ambarish Mitra, the co-founder and CEO of augmented reality technology company Blippar, will present the ISE Opening Address on February 4, 2019.

Blippar’s mission is to enhance everyday life with AR and computer vision, a field of AI. Since 2011, Blippar has been pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AR. It has helped brands, retailers, and agencies use AR/AI across the consumer journey to deepen customer engagement, drive footfall, and increase sales. 

The company gives access to an AR ecosystem with products and professional services to meet specific business needs—from consultancy to AR creation tools that publish AR content within a client’s own app, or rich media banners with no app required.

Blippar’s technology has been used by leading brands such as PepsiCo, Porsche, Nestlé, L’Oréal, GSK, and Procter & Gamble to create exciting experiences.

Blippar has been ranked three years running within CNBC’s global Disruptor 50 list, alongside the likes of Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat, and Spotify in 2017. The company has also been named a Top Business Innovator by Bloomberg, Most Innovative AR/VR Company by FastCompany in February 2018, and won Best AR App at Mobile World Congress in 2017.

In the opening address at ISE 2019, Ambarish Mitra will discuss how AR and AI are disrupting key vertical sectors served by the professional AV industry, and what future developments are likely to bring.

“Augmented reality is a horizontal disruptor and will have a positive impact on every industry," Mitra said. "What we are seeing today is just a glimpse of the potential of this technology. Blippar is at the forefront of this and I look forward to sharing my vision with ISE attendees.”

Mitra is a serial entrepreneur who started his tech career in 1997 as a high school dropout, creating his first tech company around women’s empowerment in India. After moving to London a few years later, he is today an active private investor in the fields of AR, AI, food tech, and genomics.

His pioneering work in the field of AR has received wide acclaim. He was Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur of the Year for 2016, and was appointed as an ambassador for the GREAT Britain campaign, which promotes British innovation around the world. He was also recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2017.

“We’re greatly looking forward to welcoming Ambarish Mitra to ISE 2019," said Mike Blackman, Integrated Systems Europe managing director. "Augmented reality and artificial intelligence are fast-growing areas with enormous potential. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say about the opportunities these technologies offer to the world of AV systems integration.” 

The opening address will take place in the forum of the RAI Amsterdam, shortly after the conclusion of the Smart Building Conference. It will be followed by the ISE opening reception. Both events are free to attend.

Imagine: you’re taking an elevator up to an exclusive corporate event after a large conference. You’re expecting the usual activities...open bar, DJ playing the classics, and some hors d'oeuvres getting passed around. Thank goodness, it’s been a long day and you're hungry.

The elevator doors open to a crowd, fascinated by something unseen and unheard over the music. As you make your way through the gaggle of people you start hearing a different tune than what’s coming from the house speaker system. You arrive at an open space and see an autonomous robot standing at 2.5 feet tall and projecting your company’s logo cleanly across the floor and pumping out music of its own.

It’s one of those moments when you think: “Well, I wasn’t expecting this.” And that moment is what Socialure’s partnership with Rainbow Robotics is all about.

When Socialure's founder Emile Van De Coevering learned about the work of Rainbow Robotics at The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), it was another opportunity for him to try something new. “I think it’s very important to find ways to incorporate new technology into digital signage,” said Van De Coevering. “We put a lot of thought into making our audience experiences, because even small things can make a big impact.”

That statement could not be more true when considering the company's new compact robot partner, JAY. Rainbow Robotics has developed JAY with the specialized purpose of digital signage.

JAY is just over 100 lbs, has the ability to move smoothly and quietly on its wheels, rotate its “head” to project in different directions, and play music from a Harmon/Kardon speaker.

The bot is designed to be many things: an advertising device, sponsorships at event signage, even a wayfinding solution for malls/airports/train stations where it could share pre-recorded messages and display relevant information.

The collaboration between Socialure and Rainbow Robotics has already lead to productive and functional changes with JAY. Instead of hooking up a computer to add new content every time, JAY has been integrated with the same CMS system as the DOOH Billboards, allowing for live updates and scheduled changes—making JAY an intriguing piece of entertainment for the audience and even more user friendly to the host.

“Six Million Dollar Man: Better…stronger…faster.” But what about the AV-enabled human? We know that AV can empower students in active learning classrooms and thrill fans at Yankee Stadium, but audiovisual innovations can also improve our health. From live streaming operations to teledental diagnoses, more institutions are leveraging the power of AV to improve services. Not all healthcare tech trends are generating the same excitement, however. Artificial intelligence (AI), telehealth, and personalization are inspiring new healthcare AV designs.

Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare AV Smarter

According to The Sextant Group’s systems designer, David K. Glenn, RCDD, CTS-D, LEED AP BD+C, the big buzz in healthcare technology in 2018 is around artificial intelligence (AI).

AI integrations are being explored—and deployed—in about every commercial industry. Gartner Research suggests that the global business value derived from artificial intelligence is projected to total $1.2 trillion in 2018, an increase of 70 percent from 2017. AI-derived business value is forecast to reach $3.9 trillion in 2022.

While the healthcare industry is relatively slow to adopt new technologies like AI, in part, to regulation and HIPPA compliance, not to mention the hefty price tags, healthcare providers need to stay current to meet evolving patient expectations. Right now, a consumer can yell “Alexa!” and the digital assistant will activate connected audio, video, and digital operations in a house. This AI-enabled, instant access paradigm that we expect in a car or home is fundamental to Gen Z—the personalization generation. Pew Research data from 2018 reveals that the “share of Americans that own smartphones is now 77 percent.” One of the goals of AI-enhanced digital assistants in healthcare is to give doctors and providers more time to spend with patients.

The digital patient trend is also being fueled by wearable technology trends. Data sets logged from wearables and similar consumer devices can be powerful tools for providers, showing a “big picture of big data,” Glenn said. Proper analysis is important to ascertain the real story of the data, but over a period of time, metrics such as exercise, sleep habits, and blood sugar levels can help providers customize better care delivery plans targeted to specific patient needs.

Glenn pointed to Fitbit’s ubiquity and the skyrocketing interest in smartphone-connected health devices, such as the smart EKG Kardia Mobile app by AlivCor. As mobility usage grows, we should see an increased demand for mobile healthcare apps.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are also expected to make more in-roads in the Medical Simulation field in the near future.

Telemedicine Trends

Telemedicine is a broad term referring to the telecommunication strategies and real-time collaboration technologies that provide clinical healthcare information from a distance. Within the telemedicine category are subcategories such as virtual health, telehealth, teledental, telepsychology, telestroke, and e-ICUs, an application in which many larger hospital systems are investing. Imagine real patient monitoring and doing “virtual rounds” via robust video technology and IP-based video systems built into patient rooms.

Glenn confirms that the telemedicine category is diverse: “It can be simple [or complex]. Think of a local Walgreens or CVS that offers a remote consult with a doctor. You can talk to a doctor for smaller, acute problems through your smartphone. It's like ‘doctors on demand.’” Some states are creating telehealth programs where patients can virtually consult with doctors quickly and instantly, and have that call covered by insurance. At the very least, telemedicine technologies are expanding the reach of healthcare providers large and small.

Pete McLain, SVP of Healthcare, Yorktel, explained that among Yorktel’s many specialties in healthcare AV are telemedicine-as-a-service and in-patient solutions for telestroke and behavioral health. With a telestroke system, a stroke patient who must receive treatment within about a three-hour window can be evaluated virtually by a neurologist.

As soon as the patient is present in the emergency department, a neurologist can be brought in via high-definition camera system to make a qualified assessment.

The telestroke systems have been “a game changer,” McLain said. “That's really helped with rural areas where they don't have neurologists [on staff]. Even in urban areas, with ambulance rides, the travel to get physically across town can consume that critical three-hour window.”

Digital Patients Demand Technology-Rich Experiences

From smart EKG apps to hospital directory apps equipped connected to Bluetooth beacon, there are so many new products coming to market right now that Millennials and digitally driven consumers are buying and using, but who knows how to pull them all together? That’s a key takeaway for AV integrators, designers, and consultants. The healthcare providers of tomorrow will need more inclusive designs. Think about robust but flexible solutions that are API-friendly and can help providers tie disparate apps and touch-points together coherently.

One example of this kind of flexible yet customizable system is Yorktel’s Univago HE telehealth-as-a-service platform. Specifically designed for healthcare, Univago HE delivers everything healthcare facilities need to video-connect patients with clinicians, healthcare experts, client teams, and family members. Users can leverage a single video platform across multiple telemedicine workflows. Univago HE includes all managed services, software, licenses, monitoring, diagnostics, reporting and hardware with no add-ons. Available APIs and SDKs allow the platform to integrate video with a wide variety of healthcare applications. Ongoing service and support are included, too.

McLain also noted the growing importance of cloud-based solutions, including systems with enhanced management capabilities and proactive monitoring. But he warned: “If you're going to put AV equipment into critical environments, it's got to work. It has to be highly reliable.”

Medical Students Demand Technology-Rich Learning

As reported in AV Technology earlier this year, UNLV School of Medicine’s Virtual Anatomy Lab exemplifies the next-level of medical educational design. The Virtual Anatomy Lab is outfitted with 36 student stations, with two students to a station, in an active-learning style. “The histology instructors were driving the content, and we came up with a 4K solution that we had to spread out to 70 students,” said Frank Alaimo, AV systems specialist, CTS-I, DMC-E-4K, Classroom Technology Services at UNLV.

In this remarkable lab, there are 37 bezel-free Planar IX2850 28-inch 4K monitors that stow in custom tables made by Computer Comforts. Two 98-inch Planar UltraRes UR9851 Ultra HD 500-nit LCD displays flank the whiteboard on the front wall behind the Middle Atlantic L5 Lectern instructor station. Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite RL 720 and a Vaddio RoboSHOT 12 provide HD room capture and magnification. Crestron’s Digital Media 4K family of products are used throughout. Audio processing is handled with Biamp’s TesiraFORTÉ AI, a Crown DCi series amplifier, four JBL Control high-output speakers, and Listen Technologies LA0-140 used for assistive listening.

HIPPA Compliance

AV and UCC technologies for use in healthcare installations must be verified and compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for patient privacy and verified. Patient information and related multimedia content must be fully encrypted with secure logins and authentication required. Yorktel’s Univago’s HE platform offers those protections as well as ISO 27001 certification for the security of information assets. It’s also hosted in hardened SOC2-certified data centers for an extra level of security.

While many of the popular applications out right now certified and compliant. Where Glenn sees some uncertainty are the consumer wearable devices. “How does that information get stored locally in your mobile device, in your homes?” he asked. “And how does that transfer to your primary care provider, and how does that get integrated into your electronic health record? That is the big challenge [regarding] HIPPA.”

Technology is Changing Delivery Methods

As mobile usage and telemedicine projects increase, many state and private medical institutions are evaluating the size and scale of new in-patient facilities. How many beds will be needed in hospitals due to open in 2022? Glenn sees the delivery of care changing, and he believes that telemedicine is creating efficiencies. There is a notable shift toward more ambulatory care facilities rather than large-scale complexes. “We are seeing less [of the larger centers] and more ambulatory facilities because providers are trying to offer a higher level of care at a lower cost. Technology is helping that.”

Pertinent Standard: TIA-1179

What should systems integrators know about standards and so-called “future-proofing?” Look to the BICSI TIA-1179 (Telecommunications Industry Association’s—TIA) cabling standard for healthcare facilities. It underscores the importance of a robust infrastructure for new devices producing heavy amounts of data. A minimum category 6A cabling is specified for use in the horizontal and backbone cabling systems.

Invest in the Network and Networked AV

When it comes to networked AV in healthcare facilities, it’s not even a question of it being advantageous. Many believe AV on the network is a necessity. The convergence of data-heavy healthcare technologies requires a robust network infrastructure, however. MRIs, for example, are heavy to transport, but on a 10 Gb network, MRIs could travel in seconds. Large academic university medical centers seem to be on board, though smaller community hospitals face restrictions where IT budgets are tighter.

It’s All About the Experience

For AV integrators, designers, and consultants, it is important to open the aperture, Glenn argues. “We can't really restrict what we do to just AV. It’s all about the patient experience.” The rebranding of InfoComm into AVIXA, the Audiovisual Integrated Experience Association, emphasized that experiences matter, and there is a value in the art and science of integrated experiences. Beyond installing AV components, think about how to enhance the user experience—the patient experience. “That's really what we strive to do,” Glenn said, “find out what are the business operation goals are of the hospital, and ask how do we drive that patient experience? How do we improve their work flow operations?”

It’s time to get creative. Smart strategies will be needed for high-tech and flexible AV solutions that comply with state regulations and insurance requirements. AV professionals can be key influencers in the next stage of healthcare technology, crafting the future of dynamic medical services and education.

Drones may fly high but Kevin Kelly, president/COO, Stampede, has a firm grip on their presence in the AV industry.

“History has shown time and again that the adoption of new technologies is driven by enthusiasts, passionate early adopters who see the potential before anyone else does,” Kelly noted. “This is true in both the consumer and commercial marketplaces.”

New facets of commercial AV can begin as an idea in search of commercial validation, driven by a core group of companies evangelizing the benefits of new technology. “It's the visionaries who open the eyes of the mainstream systems integrators. This has always been the case,” said Kelly.

That gradual adoption through specialists, followed by core adoption by traditional systems integrators is evident with drones. “The adoption rate for any new technology is always due, in part, to the appetite a traditional business has for taking on any new category,” he added. “Drone technology is evangelized by those with a personal interest in it and is driven by folks who get excited by it.”

Although systems integrators are not getting a lot of requests for drones at the moment, as education and government accounts start including them in their quote requests, integrators will incorporate them as well, according to Tim McPherson, sales manager, VSA.

“Integrators and installers will have to pursue the drone market and include drones in their repertoires to remain competitive,” he explained. “Right now, many systems integrators prefer to go with what they know. Sometimes it takes a customer to request a product for it to really take off. So, I don’t think it will be long before integrators start to include drones in their product lines. Especially as Amazon, UPS, and Fedex look to drone delivery for their customers.”

McPherson’s initial drone experience was for a sale to a government contractor. “They used a drone to record a spot for a new Humvee; it was a phenomenal video. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of cool videos taken by drones. Most of the major universities—including Penn State and the University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision—are using them.”

In addition to the education market, McPherson currently works with drone customers ranging from mom and pop videographers to the New York Mets, and houses of worship to communications firms and many amateur video artists. Most clients are interested in how drones can help them stand out from the competition.

Recently, VSA had a top-of-the-line drone project for a parks department that wanted to gain insight as to the health of its various parks without having its employees walk around the parks for hours, or even days. Using drones, the staff was able to see what upgrades and additions were needed in a matter of minutes or hours, and the collected data was readily available.

“From the AV integrator’s point of view, drone technology is something they are probably preparing for,” McPherson said. “Most Fortune 500 companies will partner with integrators when these types of projects come up for maintenance and other needs. Those who integrate and install production equipment, though, already know how drones can benefit the end user.”

So, what's next from manufacturers in drone technology? Intel, for one, is taking drone technology to the next level and generation of products and solutions.

“We see drones as a valuable tool to capture data safely, accurately, and efficiently,” said Cindy Ng, head of marketing, Intel Drone Group. “Our focus for the next generation of drone technologies is increased automation of both the data capture, and, more importantly, the data management and analysis. Managing and inferring insights from these large data sets is driving the digital transformation and will aid in the business decisions of enterprises across industries such as oil and gas, utilities, construction, and agriculture. We can expect to see emerging applications for this technology that help businesses automate everyday tasks and identify, analyze and predict issues in a way that could not be done before.”

Let’s Get Physical

If all new technologies engender a sense of anticipation and excitement, drones do so times ten. “Whenever you can interact with a product because of physical movement, it likens that product to playing video games with a lot of personal movement and direction,” Kelly said. “There’s a visceral feeling of linkage between the hand and eye control and movement. This visceral linkage, coupled with the growing awareness of economic and life-saving benefits drones deliver, will ultimately prevail in moving drones from the enthusiast era into the mainstream business of systems integrators.”

There are, of course, obstacles integrators face when adopting drone technology, he cautioned. “The challenges are some of the same ones that have challenged the development and advancement of every major technological innovation since the dawn of time; they include human resistance, human inertia, legitimate regulatory and safety concerns, licensing, and, yes, security concerns. Slowly, but inevitably, these challenges are being addressed in ways that are ensuring public safety and safety of operation. As they are being addressed, the concrete human and business benefits of drones are being discovered, tested, and proven in real world applications every day. It's this reality that is making drones an inevitable business component for systems integrators and this is becoming more apparent each day.”

The learning curve represents another obstacle for some integrators, McPherson said. “I haven’t seen a lot of marketing to integrators from manufacturers. If you’re like me, you have to have your hands on the product to get real world experience and learn how it applies to the industry and to your customers. As distributors or wholesalers we have to learn as we go. With so many manufacturers and with technology changing every day, I have to know a little about a lot of products.”

Typically, McPherson is on the phone with sixty or more clients per day, many of whom are communications professionals or videographers. “I bring up the advantages and disadvantages of drones in about 25 percent of these conversations.

Public opinion has been another factor challenging the industry, Kelly pointed out. “For the first year in which drones were a consumer product, it was all about privacy. Today, people talk about the economics of drones; they make money and save money. I know of an integrator who put together a drone system for Miami Beach lifeguards. The drones are equipped to fly a life preserver to someone in trouble and can reach the swimmer faster than a lifeguard can get to them.”

Real or Virtually Real?

As the use of various mixed reality technologies grows within the pro AV community, drones will take part in more and more solutions. “If you can program a drone to do something then that drone can be part of an even larger solution that includes VR (virtual reality), AI (artificial intelligence), and smart tech in general,” Kelly said. “In fact, this is a great example of how one radical new idea—drones—suddenly becomes a more mainstream component of even newer, more radical ideas, VR and AI enabled systems.”

And it’s the human imagination that creates the big new breakthroughs, then limits them through fear and inertia, finally liberating them through the creation of the next big idea, he noted. “This is the history of technology. It always has been and, I suppose, it always will be.”

As an AV techie, McPherson is excited to see what experiences VR will provide by drone footage. “We’ll see an increase in drones for AV as costs go down and more people obtain licenses to operate them. The increase will be in the corporate market and in real estate as realtors use them more and more to showcase video projects from various, difficult to photograph, angles.”