2023 AGENDA

🕐 8:30am - 9:30am PT
Attendees arrive, register, and network with fellow industry professionals.

🕐 9:30am - 9:45am PT
Please join us for our opening session with David Alpert, CEO of Skybound Entertainment.

Speakers:
David Alpert, CEO, Skybound

🕐 9:45am - 10:15am PT
Join us for a conversation with NVIDIA’s Senior Solutions Architect – Media & Entertainment, Jason Schugardt, and Game Development Lead and Senior Business Development Manager, Media & Entertainment, Ian Andes.

Speakers:
Ian Andes, Sr. Business Development Manager, Enterprise Gaming, NVIDIA
Jason Schugardt, Sr. Solutions Architect - Media & Entertainment, NVIDIA

Moderator:
Patrick Gilmore, EVP, Skybound

🕐 10:15am - 10:45am PT
Representatives from leading entertainment and technology companies share their experiences in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects, such as production, post-production, collaboration, character behavior, narrative development, fan engagement, personalized experiences, data analysis and predictive modeling. What are the current capabilities and future possibilities for involving AI in entertainment and games?

Panelists:
Travis Boudreaux, Co-Founder & CTO, Azra Games
Johnny Casamassina, CCO, Plai Labs
 Ralph Hauwert, SVP & GM, Unity Editor, Runtime & Ecosystems, Unity

Moderator:
 Andrew Wallenstein, President & Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

🕐 10:45am - 11:30am PT

🕐 11:30am - 12:00pm PT
This panel of games and tech industry experts will discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized to enhance game design, improve gameplay mechanics, impact narrative development and deliver personalized user experiences. What are the challenges and opportunities for AI in game design?

Panelists:
Vatsal Bhardwaj, Founder, NewCo
Kayla Comalli, CEO & Co-Founder, Lovelace Studio
 Amber Cook, Director of Marketing, Hidden Door
Bilawal Sidhu, Creative Technologist & AI Creator, Metaversity

Moderator:
Michael Gold, Co-Founder & CEO, Shaderverse

🕐 12:00pm - 12:30pm PT
This panel will address the investment opportunities and challenges associated with AI in games and entertainment. From funding startups that develop AI-powered games and entertainment to exploring partnerships with AI and established gaming, entertainment and digital companies, our experts will shed light on the investment landscape and share strategies for maximizing returns while mitigating risks.

Panelists:
 Jeff Brown, Partner, Galaxy Interactive
 Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner & Head of Gaming, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Scott Shane, Sr. Investment Director, Sony Ventures
Kevin Zhang, Partner, Upfront Ventures

 Moderator:
Dulari Amin, Founder, Synergy Ventures

🕐 12:30pm - 1:45pm PT

🕐 1:45pm - 2:15pm PT
In the rapidly evolving landscape of entertainment, virtual humans are emerging as a game-changing phenomenon, blurring the lines between reality and digital fiction. This panel brings together innovators, technologists, and content creators to explore the transformative impact of virtual humans on the business of entertainment. Our panelists will discuss examples of virtual humans that have captivated audiences across media, gaming, and virtual reality platforms, revolutionizing the art of storytelling. The panel will consider the commercial opportunities as well as the ethical considerations about the responsible use of virtual humans in entertainment, including data privacy, digital ethics, and the preservation of human authenticity in a world where virtual beings interact seamlessly with real-world audiences.

Panelists:
John Canning, Director, Developer Relations - Creators, AMD
Paul Coggiola, Agent, Gaming & Esports, United Talent Agency
Jacqueline Cooper, Founder, CG Pro & CG Empowers

Moderator:
Lori H. Schwartz, CEO & Founder, StoryTech

🕐 2:15pm - 2:45pm PT
This panel of entertainment and virtual reality leaders will discuss the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), examining how AI technologies can enhance immersion, interaction, and realistic experiences in virtual worlds. What are the exciting possibilities in combining the capabilities of AI and VR?

Panelists:
 Andrew Cochrane, Immersive Content Creator & Consultant, The AV Club
Eric Shamlin, EVP Head of Global Entertainment, MediaMonks
Rachel Joy Victor, Co-Founder & Independent Consultant, FBRC.AI

Moderator:
Scott Broock, Founder, Totem Networks

🕐 2:45pm - 3:15pm PT

🕐 3:15pm - 3:45pm PT
This panel of innovators and music industry experts delves into the impact of AI on the music business, exploring the opportunities and challenges it presents. Our panelists will examine AI's role in revolutionizing music production, post-production, and collaboration. With AI-driven algorithms and machine learning capabilities, musicians can enhance their compositions, experiment with novel sounds, and streamline the production process, fostering an environment of unparalleled creativity and experimentation. The panel will also discuss AI's impact on music consumption and fan engagement. Through sophisticated data analysis and predictive modeling, AI enables platforms to deliver tailored music experiences to audiences, leading to higher engagement rates and more personalized connections between artists and fans. While examining the opportunities, the panel will also address the challenges and ethical considerations from copyright and intellectual property concerns to questions about creative ownership and the role of AI in shaping artistic identity.

Panelists:
Mike Caren, Founder & CEO, Artist Publishing Group
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, The Recording Academy
 Shara Senderoff, Co-Founder & CSO, Futureverse

Moderator:
Seth Schachner, Managing Director, Strat Americas

🕐 3:45pm - 4:15pm PT
Join us for an insightful panel discussion that explores the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and marketing, as we delve into the realm of AI-driven marketing and audience engagement strategies. This thought-provoking session brings together industry experts and innovators to shed light on the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing the way businesses reach and engage their target audiences.

Panelists:
 Tricia Biggio, Co-Founder & CEO, Invisible Universe
 Duan Peng, Former SVP, Global Data & AI, Warner Bros. Discovery
Melissa Wood, VP, Client Development, Gaming, BENlabs

Moderator:
 Jocelyn Harjes, VP, Insights & Analytics, Ayzenberg

🕐 4:15pm - 4:45pm PT
Discussion on the ethical considerations and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment, games and music industries, addressing issues from copyright and intellectual property concerns to questions about creative ownership and the role of AI in shaping artistic identity, bias, and privacy.

Panelists:
 Sneha Deo, Responsible AI Product Lead, Microsoft
David Fink, Partner, Venable
Dade Orgeron, VP, 3D Innovation, Shutterstock

Moderator:
Joanna Popper, Former Chief Metaverse Officer, CAA

🕐 4:45pm - 5:45pm PT