What is IoT and AI Era Broadcasting?

Recently I presented at the commercial broadcast research society. A report follows.

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The Internet distribution of TV programs is being regularized and broadcasts are becoming “smartified.” However, starting around last year, the IT field was colored by what could be called a “de-smartification” movement. We are starting to move to the next phase. There are three main elements: 1) wearables, 2) IoT: ubiquitous, 3) intelligent: AI.

All these were technologically completed 15 years ago, but increases in sophistication and cheapness led to a period of popularization, followed by rapidly advancing implementation.

This advance also affects broadcasting. What sorts of things does it respectively mean? We can take it as 1) wearables mean interface expansion, 2) IoT means receiver diversification, 3) AI means broadcast autonomization.

All involve downloading and uploading, which in turn affects both broadcast receptions and transmissions from listeners.

1) Wearables

Digital technology exhibitions are fully stocked with glasses-type display devices. It seems that Google Glass does not have a good reputation, but all manner of proposals can be seen from many different manufacturers.

　For example, the Epson “Moverio” connects to home Wi-Fi, video recording programs, and Blu-ray software and allows you to view videos on a big screen. It also proposes realtime TV viewing while you are out.

The main wearable contender may be watches rather than glasses. Glasses download (reception), but watches are capable of not only audiovisual data reception, but also convey movement information, tactile information, pulse, perspiration, etc., recording data beyond the  audiovisual. In short, they are an upload (transmission) wearable.

2) IoT: Ubiquitous

All consumer electronics connect and communicate. Refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuums, etc.: everything connects, and thus the fixed position of TV may also change. Before that, cars will become smartphones. All automobile companies are putting effort into IT. It has moved from information provisioning to navigation, and will surely expand into steering control.

Robots can even receive radio waves, dance, and perform. 15 years ago, MIT was performing experiments moving a Lego robot with electromagnetic waves. It is technologically simple. This means that with 3D printers, objects can be transmitted through data and broadcasts can send objects.

Let’s also take uploading into consideration. Mountain climbers played active roles in broadcasting the eruptions of Mt. Ontake and Mt. Aso: they recorded them, uploaded the images to Twitter, etc. No, there are more than just individual recordings now. Cameras embedded downtown create content. Security cameras come in handy when incidents occur.

3) Intelligent: A.I.

Becoming smart. The Softbank conversation program Pepper was made by KMD alumni. It is a robot that independently produces content. Expectations for agents technologically swelled about 15 years ago, but agridata will increasingly flourish.

Virtual agents will become smart through AI and act autonomously. An agent smarter than me will perform online activity. My agent will select everything that I should look at and know about.

　

We face such a world. How will the broadcasting industry come to grips with it?