MESA Presents: AI and the Future of Entertainment Data

Research shows that over 25% of OTT video service subscribers have cancelled in the past year alone. This sobering state of affairs carries with it a dark cloud over overall growth, retention, and LTV for burgeoning startups and industry titans alike. The answer is obvious: prevent this at all costs. But in a world where we’re quite far from a shortage in providers, subscription plans, devices, or content experiences, it can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly will reduce an individual subscriber’s propensity to churn and deliver positive results at scale.

There’s fast-growing interest in the usage of AR and VR for education and training. According to SuperData Research, investments in AR and VR technologies will grow from $1.6 billion in 2017 to over $3.1 billion in 2020. Much of that investment is being funneled towards projects built with education and training in mind. AR and VR are emerging quickly, but what does it mean for today’s learning organizations?

The fabric of the network has changed in fundamental ways, and that change is accelerating. While networks still have boxes and cables, the nature of those boxes, and the control systems and apps running them, are changing to software. Edge compute and low latency services will require automation for rapid redistribution of network elements in both real-time and long term. As competition, customers, and technology, the three existential drivers propelling 5G connections, are becoming increasingly aligned they are poised to accelerate automation and innovation.

In a span of three months, we had the opportunity to run a large–screen virtual reality (VR) display at the AeroDef, Rapid + TCT, and Smart Manufacturing Experience events. As an exhibitor with my Mechdyne teammates, we supported the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ (SME) efforts to help organizations realize the potential for VR and augmented reality (AR) technologies and improve their digital workflows. Although these tradeshows took place weeks apart, we noticed attendees were asking similar questions at each event. Many of them had no experience at all with VR, while some organizations had experience with VR – just not in manufacturing. They were all especially interested in what was possible and what to consider.