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TTC 2024 (Toronto Technical Conference)

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TTC 2024 Home Page

June 10, 2024 - Final Update

TTC 2024 is happening tomorrow with the BBQ starting at 5:45pm. Then on Wednesday we start bright and early at 8:30am with the first presentation. Breakfast snacks will commence at 8:00am. After many months of hard work from a lot people the event is before us.  Below are links to important information to the event.  Please do review them for your awareness.

TTC 2024 Important Information:
Event Date: June 11th (5-9pm) and 12th (8:30am-6:30pm), 2024.
Schedule: Check out the two-day schedule here.
Venue Entrance: Access SIRT Studio 10 through Gate 5. Review the aerial view of Pinewood Studios here for parking and transit stop locations.  Google maps view here.
Transit Information: Find transit details for the area here.
Event Ticket: Bring your Eventbrite ticket (paper or mobile) for entry. Security will verify against our list.
Event and Trade Show Sponsors: Discover our valued sponsors here.

 

June 07, 2024 - Update

The start of TTC 2024 is just around the corner.  We are extremely proud of the lineup of presenters, the list of Trade Show participants.  Remember this all starts after we have a great BBQ fest.  You are not going to want to miss this.
 
First, we have added one additional presentations to our TTC 2024 lineup. 

James Rowan, Film Production Specialist, SIRT | Screen Industries Research and Training Centre
Title: Generative Animation - Machine Learning tools for Animation
Synopsis: 
Generative Film making? examples so far?
• Open AI's SORA, Corridor Crew's animated film made in Stable Diffusion
• Why these technologies aren't quite what they appear, but they indicate where the industry is going
Where are we now?
• There are already several well-developed tools for Generative AI for CG animation
• Generative AI mocap tools: Prompt to animation, Motorica, ZeroEggs AI Model; creating animation from audio dialogue
• SIRT's m-body.AI project; open-source data, and AI tools for adoption; an effort to accelerate adoption within industry
Why aren't we seeing these things in industry yet?
• Barriers and what is coming next
• Pace and adoption

TTC 2024 Important Information:

Event Date: June 11th (5-9pm) and 12th (8:30am-6:30pm), 2024.
Presenters: We’re proud of our impressive lineup of presenters.
Registration Deadline: Register by June 10, 9 am to secure your spot.
Schedule: Check out the two-day schedule here.
Venue Entrance: Access SIRT Studio 10 through Gate 5. Review the aerial view of Pinewood Studios here for parking and transit stop locations.  Google maps view here.
Transit Information: Find transit details for the area here.
Event Ticket: Bring your Eventbrite ticket (paper or mobile) for entry. Security will verify against our list.
Event and Trade Show Sponsors: Discover our valued sponsors here.
Presentations and Papers: Dive into the exciting topics covered by our speakers here

Don’t miss out on TTC 2024 – it’s going to be amazing

 

June 06, 2024 - Update

Additional presentation added:

Mo Goyal, P. Eng., Sr. Director – International Business Development, Live Media Solutions, Evertz.
Title:  Artificial Intelligence in TV production & Broadcasting
Synopsis:  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in various industries, including media and entertainment. This abstract provides an overview of the utilization of AI technologies in the areas of production and broadcast, encompassing diverse applications ranging from content creation to content distribution and audience engagement. Furthermore, ethical considerations and challenges surrounding AI implementation in live production are addressed, including privacy and creativity concerns, algorithmic biases, and the human-AI collaboration paradigm. By promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, stakeholders can mitigate potential risks and ensure the responsible deployment of AI technologies.

TTC 2024 Event and Tradeshow Sponsors 

TTC 2024 Papers Detail 

TTC 2024 Registration Link

 

June 04, 2024 - Update

TTC 2024: When Media and AI Meet - Innovate, Adapt, Transform, and Generate

📅 Date: June 11th (5-9pm) and 12th (8:30am-6:30pm), 2024

Our dedicated committee has put in countless hours to prepare for the upcoming TTC 2024 conference. This exceptional event promises insights, networking opportunities, and cutting-edge discussions at the intersection of media and artificial intelligence (AI).

Here’s how you can get involved: 
1: Register: Secure your spot by registering via the TTC 2024 Registration Link. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

2: Additional Links:
     - TTC 2024 Schedule: Explore the detailed schedule for both June 11 and June 12 here.
     - Event and Trade Show Sponsors: Discover our valued sponsors and partners here.
     - Presentations and Papers: Dive into the exciting topics covered by our speakers here
     - TTC 2024 website: Revisit often.

Papers Detail:
Renard Jenkins, President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, President of SMPTE, Board Member HPA, Advisory Board Member of Exceptional Minds.
Title:  AI is Here…Now What?
Synopsis:  Artificial intelligence is currently on the lips of everyone across all industries. Unlike typical technology trends that we’ve seen come and go over the past decade, AI and its associated components have a potential to generate a foundational shift in the way that we work, play, build, and create. What does that mean for broadcast, film, animation, media entertainment and yes even radio? Where are the engineering opportunities and how do we prepare for them? Join Renard T. Jenkins, President of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs and SMPTE President in an interactive discussion regarding the production and broadcast engineers of the future and how best to prepare yourself and your teams for that future. 

Anthony Kuzub, Chair of the AES Toronto, Sr. Systems Designer at CBC/Radio-Canada
Title:  The Audio Industry  & “AI”
Synopsis:  Synthetic media is revolutionizing the world, but the audio industry has been at the forefront of innovation since the 1970s. Over the decades, the industry has adapted by implementing advanced automation, developing speech recognition, transforming sounds to create new auditory experiences, and generating entirely new sounds for content creation. Anthony P. Kuzub will explore these developments and the impact of AI on media, offering insights into the ongoing evolution of audio and synthetic media.

Bruce MacCormack, Principal – Neural Transform, Member of the Partnership on AI steering committee on AI and Media Integrity, Co-founder and vice-chair of Project Origin, Member of the steering committee of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA)
Title:  Content Credentials – Knowing What’s Really Real
Synopsis:  In the era of AI generated synthetic media, seeing is no longer believing. This undermines the foundations of the global news ecosystem. Over the past 5 years a growing number of media and technology companies have been working together to build standards and products to prepare for this environment. The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) and its co-founder Project Origin are leading the drive for deployment of C2PA based processes in news and other information-based industries. This presentation will cover the core problem being solved, the history and members of the coalition, the elements of the C2PA media provenance standard, some specific news use cases and ways to become more involved.

Charles Poynton, Consultant
Title:  Confessions of an AI skeptic
Synopsis:  Modern technology development and commercialization is prone to hype; for example, we've seen cryptocurrency rise and fall, driven by hype (and not by any real-world use cases). In media space, billions of dollars were invested in stereo 3D technology that ultimately proved to have insignificant commercial significance.  Today’s bandwagon is artificial intelligence (AI). In this talk, Charles Poynton will present his views on which elements of AI are likely to have long-lasting importance, and which elements we can expect to be transient (at best) or dangerous (at worst). Large language models can effectively “read” and make available most or all of the information on the internet. However, we must not conclude that access to superhuman amounts information allows AI models to reason. The machine learning (ML) elements of AI are potentially valuable in media applications. However, despite the “generative” tag in certain types of AI technology, we must be aware that the probabilistic nature of the mathematics underlying AI offers no possibility of creativity.

Chris Lennon, Ross Video Office of the CTO - Director, Standards Strategy, Executive Director of the Open Services Alliance (OSA), SMPTE Fellow
Title:  Addressing the Fundamentals to Enable AI and Automated Workflows – Panel Discussion
Synopsis:  This free-flowing discussion will look beyond the hype and “parlour tricks” that seems to dominate current AI discussions, and focus on how AI, GenAI, and ML are realistically being utilized today (and in the future) to enable automated workflows in media. The panelists come from some very unique perspectives, which should lead to a lively conversation.

Suman Kalyan, NStarX
Title:  Transforming Broadcast Workflows with AI: From Automation to Personalization
Synopsis:  The talk explores the extensive integration of AI technologies in broadcasting. AI facilitates numerous workflow enhancements, from optimizing broadcast timing and resource utilization to improving content management and error reduction. It delves into machine learning's role in content packaging and curation, as well as its ability to analyze viewer data for personalized content delivery. The paper also highlights AI's capability in automatically generating highlight reels, showcasing its potential to revolutionize how broadcasters engage with audiences, ensuring content is both impactful and tailored to viewer preferences.

Stan Moote, CTO of IABM, SMPTE Fellow
Title:  IABM Technology & Trends Road Map Update with Panel
Synopsis:  With a focus on the various aspects of AI, this session will have a collaborative panel debating trends and advanced technology solutions for implementation into broadcast workflows and architectures. Panelists: Mike Bloom - AI Solution Architect, WEKA, Tom Burns – CTO M&E, Dell Technologies, Chris Lennon - Standards Strategy- Ross Video

William Aiken, University of Ottawa
Title: Navigating the Noise: The Hidden Dangers of Compromised Diffusion Models
Synopsis:  Diffusion models represent state-of-the-art deep learning architectures behind many popular and powerful image-synthesizing generative AI models, such as DALL-E and MidJourney. However, as these models continue to be adopted in a variety of user-facing or upstream use cases, organizations must be aware of the potential impacts if diffusion models come from untrusted sources. Yet, compromised diffusion models remain an underexplored area not only in their adoption but in the research literature as well. Prior work has investigated the ability to diffuse a specific image via carefully-crafted noise in unconditional diffusion models as well as via specific prompt triggers in conditional models as well. Although these situations may be problematic on their own, they rely on malicious users being able to access this input into the model as well as poisoning them. In our approach, we demonstrate the capability to embed triggers directly into the noise space of conditional diffusion models. As a result, the random noise used in the diffusion process of original images can itself cause the creation of our targeted images, without additional input from any malicious user. Further, our research shows that malicious actors are able to control the rate of these backdoor images depending on the attributes of the latent noise trigger. We also investigate the utility of several defence techniques to mitigate the potential impact of compromised diffusion models, and we encourage organizations adopting image-based generative AI to consider implementing these approaches in their pipeline.

Remember, TTC 2024 is not just a conference; it’s an opportunity to shape the future of media and AI. Join us as we innovate, adapt, transform, and generate new ideas!

Feel free to share this enhanced message with your audience, and let us know if there’s anything else I can assist you with!  Reach out to us here.

TTC 2024 Event and Tradeshow Sponsors 

TTC 2024 Papers Detail 

TTC 2024 Registration Link

SIRT Map

 

May 31, 2024 - Update - 05/31/2024 

As a friendly reminder, the conference is just around the corner, less than two weeks away! We have exciting activities lined up starting with the Tuesday evening BBQ catered by Simply BBQ, followed by Renard Jenkins, the President of SMPTE delivering a keynote message. SMPTE, as you know, is heavily into shaping the way the AI should be treated. The following day will be a full day of diverse range of presenters who are set to deliver insightful content. You will be treated to many homemade snacks and lunch catered by Hearty Catering to keep your body satisfied. 

To secure your spot and be a part of this exceptional conference, make sure to register via the provided link - TTC 2024 Registration Link. Avoid waiting until the last moment, as you wouldn't want to miss out on this fantastic opportunity.

We have mentioned that Renard Jenkins, President of SMPTE, as our keynote speaker. Chris Lennon from Ross Video will lead a panel discussion on 'Addressing the fundamentals to enable AI and automated workflows'. Stan Moote, the CTO of IABM, will moderate a panel on 'IABM Technology & Trends Road Map Update'. Furthermore, Suman Kalyan, Chief AI Officer at NStarX, will present a paper titled 'Transforming Broadcast Workflows with AI: From Automation to Personalization'.
Other presenters offering their perspective regarding AI in the media industry:
-    Tom Burns, CTO M&E, Dell Technologies
-    Charles Poynton, PhD, Consultant
-    Anthony Kuzub, CBC
-    Marko Mrkonjic, Magnifi.ai
-    Bruce MacCormack, Principal, Neural Transform, Member of Partnership on AI steering committee, Member of Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity steering committee
-    Mo Goyal, Evertz

We are excited to announce the lineup of companies participating in the Tradeshow segment of the conference. The current list includes esteemed organizations such as Ross Video, SDVI Inc, AVATEQ, Lectrosonics, Skyline Communications, and Applied Electronics. Keep in mind that this list is continuously expanding.

With such an impressive array of participants, this event is shaping up to be truly remarkable. One of the registration options includes the opportunity to secure a one-year new or extended renewal for an SMPTE membership at a significantly discounted rate, exclusive to this conference.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and cutting-edge technologies at this TTC 2024 conference!

Our TTC 2024 Event and Trads Show sponsors helped enable this event. Please select the link below listing all these outstanding companies.  Show your appreciation by visiting their sites.

TTC 2024 Event and Tradeshow Sponsors 

TTC 2024 Registration Link

 

May 29, 2024 - Update - TTC 2024 Site and Transit Map 

SIRT Map - Gate 5

 

Just to review the location to TTC 2024 - SIRT @ Pinewood Studios, Stage 10, 225 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON.  Please review the Google Maps link.  Entrance will be from Gate 5Parking is available at the west parking lot.  Transit stops are also available as indicated.  Bus route is 114.  Here is the link to the transit route map. 

TTC 2024 Registration Link

 

May 24, 2024 - Update - Confirmed Presenters

The SMPTE Toronto Technical Conference (TTC) 2024 is an exciting event that will bring together professionals from the media, broadcast, and entertainment industry. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider attending:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Focus: This year’s theme is “When Media and AI Meet - Innovate, Adapt, Transform, and Generate.” The conference will delve into the profound impact of AI on media. As AI rapidly transforms the industry, understanding its fundamentals, responsible use, and implications is crucial.
Cutting-Edge Content: The conference will explore various aspects of AI, including research and development, responsible AI practices, and its impact on media. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about AI, you’ll gain valuable insights and stay up to date with the latest trends.
Networking Opportunities: Attendees can connect with industry experts, fellow professionals, and potential collaborators. The in-person experience includes a trade showcase, social/networking reception, and a BBQ event on June 11. These interactions can lead to new partnerships, ideas, and career opportunities.
Membership Benefits: One of the registration options includes a one-year SMPTE membership for non-members or a one-year extension for existing members. Being part of SMPTE provides access to resources, networking, and educational opportunities throughout the year.

Here are some of the confirmed presenters for the event - 
  - Renard Jenkins, President SMPTE, will be our Keynote speaker opening our event on the June 11. SMPTE is knee deep in how this new AI technology should be presenting itself. The next day Renard will also be part of a panel discussion on 'Addressing the fundamentals to enable AI and automated workflows'.
  - Chris Lennon, Office of the CTO, Director, Standards Strategy, Ross Video will host a panel discussion on 'Addressing the fundamentals to enable AI and automated workflows'. Joining Chris as panel members will be Loic Barbou, Head of Media Technology, Bloomberg Media; Renard Jenkins, President, I2A2 & SMPTE; Suman Kalyan, Chief AI Officer, NStarX.
     - Stan Moote, CTO, IABM. Stan will be moderating a panel discussion entitled 'IABM Technology & Trends Road Map Update' with a focus on the various aspects of AI. This session will have a collaborative panel debating trends and advanced technology solutions for implementation into broadcast workflows and architectures. Panelists will include Mike Bloom, AI Solution Architect, WEKA; Tom Burns, CTO M&E, Dell Technologies; Chris Lennon, Standards Strategy, Ross Video.
     - Suman Kalyan, Chief AI Officer, NStarX. Suman will present his paper entitled 'Transforming Broadcast Workflows with AI: From Automation to Personalization'. Here he will address the possible ways that AI can automate the broadcast workflows ex: ensuring optimal timing for viewership and efficient usage of resources, improvement of content management processes, reducing error and enhancing efficiencies, content curation, ML for content packaging, how Ai can analyze viewer data to personalize content, generate highlight reels etc...
Additional presenters -
     - Charles Poynton, PhD
     - Bruce MacCormack
     - Magnifi Demo
     - Ross Demo
     - Evertz
     - University of Ottawa

As we have been stating in previous emails, AI isn’t just a buzzword; it’s reshaping the media and entertainment industry. As professionals, understanding its impact beyond technology is essential. So, mark your calendar for June 11 and 12, 2024, register today and join the TTC 2024 conference exploring the exciting world of AI in media!  You will not be disappointed.

TTC 2024 Registration Link