AI can take on tasks requiring enormous amounts of processing and analysis, and perform new tasks which are simply unsuitable for human beings. It can improve effectiveness and efficiency, and even deliver elements of editorial judgement. In this session we will look at AI’s current contribution to media operations, live sports coverage, and some BBC ideas for new audience experiences, and also consider where the trend may go next.

The panel will be Chaired by Andrew McIntosh – Head of TV Analysis, Enders Analysis, with

Ian Whitfield - Founder, Virtual AI
Doug Clark - Global Solution Leader, Cloud & Cognitive, IBM Telco, Media & Entertainment
George Wright - Head of Internet Research & Future Services, BBC R&D
Cassian Harrison - Channel Editor, BBC Four

Producer for RTS: Carol Owens

This will be our final event at the ITV London Studios before their closure for redevelopment. We’ll be finishing off the evening with a Prosecco celebration of our many years on the South Bank. Please join us!

BIOGRAPHIES

Ian Whitfield – Founder, Virtual AI

Ian is the founder of Virtual AI which provides intelligent automation and artificial intelligence solutions and services to the Media industry. He has a passion for improving the way in which businesses work and disruptive technologies.

Prior to Virtual AI Ian held roles as ITV’s Director of Broadcast Technology and Managing Director of Encompass Digital Media (EMEA)

Doug Clark - Global Solutions Leader, Cloud and Cognitive, IBM Telco, Media and Entertainment

Doug Clark (@cloudstuff) has been global leader for IBM's AI and Cloud platform business across media and entertainment  industries since 2016. He's on a mission to help our industry pivot and unlock the full power of Cloud and AI technologies. IBM's AI, manifesting as Watson Media, can help expose and act upon deep business insights for a richer viewer experience and so competitive advantage.

Previously Doug built and led IBM's Cloud Business Unit in UK and Ireland between 2010 and 2015 - when he won Cloud Personality of the Year in the 2016 Cloud Industry Awards

George Wright - Head of Internet Research and Future Services, BBC Research & Development

George leads a cross disciplinary team of engineers, UX Designers, production staff and domain experts researching and creating digital products and services.  He has worked in broadcasting for more than 25 years, the last 20 of which have been in digital and new service research and development.

George has been co-ordinator or principal investigator on a number of national and EC funded projects and has won international recognition for his and his team's research, including a BAFTA, EMMY and NAB Innovation award.

Cassian Harrison - Channel Editor, BBC4

Cassian is Channel Editor of one of the BBC’s most distinctive and much-loved television services. Under Cassian’s leadership, BBC4 has grown to its highest audience share in its history and leads the BBC channels in quality measures.

Prior to this role, Cassian spent five years as Commissioning Editor for Science, Natural History and History across BBC One, Two and Four and before that he spent 15 years in the independent sector, working as a Director, Producer and Executive Producer.

Andrew McIntosh - Head of TV Analysis, Enders Analysis (Chair)​

A key aspect of Andrew's role is to help people make sense of, and benefit from, the cascade of new developments in TV. This includes the use of technology for viewer insights, addressable and programmatic TV, audience measurement, cross-platform advertising, on demand TV, and TV viewing on multiple platforms and devices.

Andrew's career has been wholly within or allied to the TV industry, consisting of positions at the creative agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, media buying agency PHD, Virgin Media and Sky.

This event will be preceded by the RTS London Centre AGM at 6:00pm