Friday, January 26th, 2024; 10:30AM – 12:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204B

A3E Presents: Human-Driven Content Creation (HDCC) vs AI-Driven Content Generation (AICG) – The Imperative to Define, Label, and Protect Artistic Originality

For the past 2+ decades musicians and audio professionals have been “challenged” by the advent and disruptions of emerging and new technologies. To note, this has not always been a negative thing, for the new instruments, standards and content creation tools that have evolved have in many ways unleashed amazing new possibilities in artists ideation and creation. But undeniably, these emerging technologies have caused many issues around artists’ ability to monetize and protect that same amazing new music and art.

The entertainment industry and artists now stand at the crossroads of not just being “challenged”, but of being completely under siege in the Age of AI. Under siege by the evolution of not only the previous and ongoing monetization challenges, but by the very essence of artistic creativity. It is this later siege that needs immediate contemplation and action. This special keynote presentation, held in partnership with TEC Tracks at NAMM, January 26, 2024, will discuss the imperative and the needed exploration and conversation of defining, labeling, and protecting artistic originality.

A3E is creating and offering a possible framework that would look at artistic originality and the subsequent production of content, starting with the two main “forces” dominating the artistic and entertainment worlds: Human-Driven Content Creation (HDCC) vs AI-Driven Content Generation (AICG). Key discussion points = Creation vs Generation, Human vs. Synthetic, Art vs Output, Human vs Algorithm, Human-Driven vs AI-Driven, Computer Assisted vs Human Assisted, HDCC vs AICG, all of which form the crux of the HDCC vs AICG debate.

Please join this varied and distinguished panel, along with NAMM, TEC Tracks and A3E for this crucial and fascinating keynote and industry discussion.

The below graph and associated data, compares a “then” and “now” evolution, or devolution of the willingness of human content creators to trust, work alongside and credit AI as collaborator. This devolution has created the imperative that A3E sees to identify and recognize the artistic originality of both HDCC and AICG. SOURCE: the “Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey”. © 2012 – 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Jack Joseph Puig | Grammy-winning Producer, Engineer and the Vice President Creative Innovation at Waves Consumer | Waves Audio Ltd

Renowned in professional music circles, Jack Joseph Puig (JJP) is an iconic multi-platinum award-winning record producer and engineer, as well as inventor, technologist, record executive and outspoken advocate for high standards in professional and consumer audio. In addition to his work with legendary artists, Mr. Puig serves as Vice President of Creative Innovation for the consumer division of Waves Audio, the world’s leading developer of audio DSP Technologies for music, movies, games, broadcast, and software electronics. Additionally, Mr. Puig is currently working with leading consumer companies creating The JJP Signature Series Dell XPS, Google, Dell, Oppo, Alcatel, Fitbit, Facebook, Motorola and Intel, developing the next generation of consumer electronics products.

Mr. Puig’s record experience as EVP at Interscope/Geffen/A&M where he relaunched DGC Records, Vice President of Creative Innovation at Waves Audio and relationships with top artists, industry figures and as a developer of talent, gives him a unique perspective on the intersection between the entertainment world, technology and consumer electronics. Mr. Puig is uniquely qualified to offer his perspective on the current and future direction of voice and audio processing for connected devices and how technology has evolved and what that will mean in the future.

The winner of multiple GRAMMY Awards, JJP’s production credits include: Lady Gaga, Florence and the Machine, Fergie, No Doubt, Fiona Apple, Black Eyed Peas, Weezer, Panic at the Disco, Mary J Blige, Snow Patrol, U2, Shirley Manson, The Goo Goo Dolls, John Mayer, Common, Michael Jackson, Glenn Fry, Katy Perry, Guns N’ Roses, Gwen Stefani, The Pussycat Dolls, The Strokes, StereoPhonics, Collective Soul, Toto, Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow and Counting Crows, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Amiee Mann, Ashlee Simpson, Sugarland, Chris Isaak, Jellyfish, Dinosaur Jr, Guided By Voices Aqualung, Dashboard Confessional, Eric Clapton, Beck, Green Day, 311, Klaxons, STP, The Rolling Stones, Blink 182, Barbra Streisand, Avril Lavigne, Bette Midler, Tricky, John Mellencamp, George Harrison, Vanessa Carlton, Lifehouse, Amy Grant, Wallflowers, Diana Ross, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Barry Gibb and Robbie Williams.

Panos A. Panay | President | Recording Academy

Panos A. Panay serves as President for the Recording Academy®. In his role, Panay drives business growth across the entire organization to further expand the service offerings for Academy members and the industry. With a focus on identifying new partnerships, global expansion, and leveraging new technologies, he drives strategic advancement for the Academy’s objectives and fosters a culture of innovation.

Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Panay served as the senior vice president for Global Strategy and Innovation at Berklee College of Music and is a fellow at MIT Connection Science. At Berklee, he led the development and execution of the college’s overarching strategic plan; founded the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship; oversaw its campuses in New York City, Valencia (Spain), and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Music + Health and India Exchange Institutes; and steered new partnerships, program development, and the incorporation of new technologies. He also led Berklee’s expansion to China and the K-12 sector. Prior to Berklee, Panay was founder and CEO of Sonicbids, the leading platform for emerging artists to connect with music promoters, resulting in over 1 million gigs booked in over 80 countries around the world. He led the company for 13 years until after its successful acquisition in 2013. He started his career as a talent agent and vice president at The Kurland Agency, booking the international tours for GRAMMY®-winning artists such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and Branford Marsalis.

Panay has been recognized in Fast Company’s Fast 50, Inc Magazine’s Inc 500, Mass Hi-Tech All Stars, and Boston Globe’s Game Changers. For his work with Sonicbids, Panay was also profiled in the book Outsmart by best-selling author Jim Champy and spoke at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, as part of his work with Open Music. He has been a guest on programs such as CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and a guest writer about entrepreneurship for Forbes, Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, and Inc Magazine, among others. He is a public speaker at many universities and events around the world. His first book, Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation, co-authored with R. Michael Hendrix of IDEO, was released in April 2021 and was named as a business book of the month by the Financial Times.

Panay holds a music business & management degree from Berklee College of Music and is a candidate for an EMBA at IE Business School / Brown University.

Doug Stephens | Founder/CEO | Retail Prophet

Doug Stephens is one of the world’s foremost retail industry futurists. His intellectual work and creativity have influenced many of the world’s best-known retailers, agencies and brands including Walmart, Google, LVMH, BMW, Coca Cola and Microsoft.

He is the author of multiple international bestselling books on the future of retail, a featured columnist for The Business of Fashion, and a member of multiple academic and corporate advisory boards.

His unique perspectives on retailing, business and consumer behavior have been featured in many of the world’s leading publications and media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Wired and Fast Company.

John Raymond Riley | Assistant General Counsel | U.S. Copyright Office

John Riley is an Assistant General Counsel at the Copyright Office where he has contributed to the Government’s briefs in the Petrella and Aereo Supreme Court cases, the Thaler AI-copyrightability case, the Copyright Small Claims and Copyright and the Music Marketplace policy reports, and, among other regulatory work, has authored rules implementing the Music Modernization Act and Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (“CASE”) Act of 2020.

Prior to joining the Office, John worked as the Senior Manager of IP Enforcement at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. John earned his LL.M. in IP Law from the George Washington University Law School and his JD from the Dickinson School of Law. He holds BA degrees in Political Science, English, and Communication Arts & Sciences from Penn State University. He has been recognized by the American Intellectual Property Law Association for his distinguished service and contributions in the field of intellectual property law.

Paul Sitar | President, A3E | CEO, Sitarian Corporation

Paul began his professional career as an aerospace underwriter, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor. However, his passion for information technology led him to transition into the field of emerging technologies that impact all aspects of business and life. He accomplished this by launching research projects, trade shows, and conferences for prominent organizations such as Gartner, Inc. and Advanstar Communications, Inc., as well as for several of his own ventures such as NlightN, Inc., Sitarian Corporation, A3E LLC, and the The Electric Vehicle + Energy Infrastructure Innovation & Sustainability Exchange™. These efforts and projects have included a global footprint.

Paul has focused his attention on several areas, including music and entertainment technology, electric vehicles and next-generation mobility, healthcare informatics, electronic commerce, artificial and creative intelligence, robotics, IT security, cyber terrorism prevention, and critical infrastructure protection.

Paul’s experience also includes founding and managing a software security company for seven years. During this time, he successfully patented and commercialized a deviceless one-time password authentication system. Today, Paul continues his work in research, trade show and conference creation, and the launch of innovative projects in technology driven industries.

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Friday, January 26th, 2024; 12:00PM – 1:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Harmonizing Tradition and Technology: Crafting and Launching a Musical Instrument from Blueprint to Performance

Join this A3E session to delve into the nuanced art of blending traditional instrument craftsmanship with cutting-edge technological advancements. A panel of accomplished creators will unravel the intricate process of merging or replicating timeless instruments and sounds while introducing new musical innovations. Explore the complete developmental cycle, from the initial blueprinting stages to the meticulous application of construction techniques, culminating in the seamless integration of modern sensor technology and unparalleled acoustic precision.

The group will offer invaluable insights into the orchestration of diverse disciplines as this session navigates the terrain of leveraging new software, hardware, and other breakthrough technologies. Discover how these elements harmonize in the creation of instruments that honor tradition yet embrace the forefront of innovation, revolutionizing the landscape of musical expression.

The below graph and associated data, indicates the percentage of content creators planning to employ efforts, strategies, and resources into developing their own proprietary technology, applications, and/or instruments in 2024, by industry vertical. One of A3E’s core missions is to create the environment and relationships that will help achieve the development of new creative tools for new creativity. SOURCE: the “Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey”. © 2012 – 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Bosco “Bosko” Kante | founder & CEO | ElectroSpit Inc.

Bosko Kante is a music producer, inventor, and mechanical engineer who has written and performed talkbox on Grammy Winning Albums by Dua Lipa and Kanye West including the #11 streaming song of all time “Levitating”. When he was forced to lip sync his talkbox part instead of performing live on the American Music Awards with Kanye West, he decided to reinvent the talkbox and make it mobile. He co-founded music tech company ElectroSpit Inc., invented the Guthman Award winning ElectroSpit ESX-1 talkbox used by David Guetta and Stevie Wonder, produced and performed on songs with E40, Drake, Bruno Mars, and Big Boi, and gives back by helping musicians create their own music tech businesses that leverage AI and AR technology at the nonprofit Black music incubator “HiiiWAV” he founded in Oakland, California.

Matthew Fecher | Co-Founder | AudioKit Pro

Matthew Fecher is an award-winning, featured music app developer, recognized for creating more #1 music apps in Apple’s App Store than anyone in history. His trailblazing work includes the creation of the open-source Synth One, the most popular Synthesizer for iPhone & iPad.

Matthew’s innovations are enjoyed by emerging artists and Grammy-winning producers alike, with legends like Herbie Hancock to hit makers for Jay-Z, Sting, Alicia Keys, and more relying on his creations. You’ve likely even swayed to his code in Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” a Billboard Song of the Year!

Serving as a core-team member of AudioKit, the premier audio library for iOS development, Matthew’s infectious energy and groundbreaking code resonate throughout the iOS universe. His code powers the audio and music in over 200+ million app installs, while enriching experiences for global giants for everyone from Disney to McDonald’s to your favorite indie apps.

Adam McHeffey | Chief Marketing Officer | Artiphon

Adam McHeffey (Chief Marketing Officer at Artiphon) has spent his career at the intersection of music, art, and business. He spent a decade touring as a multi-instrumentalist, playing with several bands and illustrating children’s books for Amazon. He hopes that through developing and marketing new technologies, we can bring the joy he felt from music and art to millions more people. Adam joined Artiphon in 2015 in time for their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign and has successfully led the marketing for INSTRUMENT 1, Orba, Orba 2, and Chorda. As a brand and marketing strategist with expertise in music technology, Adam often speaks on the future of digital marketing and creating impactful customer experiences.

Andrei Kudryavtsev  | Synth Engineering & Restoration |  Deftaudio LLC

With an extensive history in the music industry, Andrei has cultivated a profound connection, specializing in the restoration of rare musical instruments like the iconic Fairlight CMI. Additionally, he has carved his niche by developing MIDI utility kits for Eurorack enthusiasts through his Deftaudio brand. A vital member of the Luma-1 team, Andrei contributes to the reimagining of the renowned Linn LM-1 drum computer—a project that has recently captured the spotlight in the industry. Luma-1 is an authentic recreation of the iconic LM-1, originally designed by Roger Linn in 1979 and now brought back by the team led by Joe Britt. Fully recreating the original design of the LM-1, it utilizes the same audio path with the original vintage DACs and filters, runs the original LM-1 software, and adds a secondary modern processor for adding highly desirable features like loadable sounds, USB connectivity, MIDI and more.

Nick Yulman  | Director of Outreach |  Kickstarter

Nick Yulman has worked with Kickstarter’s community of creators for the last ten years and currently leads the company’s Outreach team, helping designers, technologists, and artists of all kinds bring their ideas to life through crowdfunding. He was previously Kickstarter’s Head of Design and Technology and produced Just the Beginning, a podcast series celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary in 2019. He has presented his own creative work involving musical robots at venues around the world and has designed and built instruments for artists including the Grammy-winning new music ensemble Sō Percussion, Japanese pop duo Lullatone, and composer Angėlica Negrón. He has taught graduate classes at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and cofounded Floating Point, a collaborative creative technology studio in Brooklyn, NY, active from 2012-2020.

Andrew Ikenberry  | Founder and CEO |  Electrosmith

Andrew Ikenberry is an electronic instrument designer and music tech entrepreneur. As co-founder of the modular synth brand Qu-Bit, he has been responsible for the launch of more than 100 successful products which have been met with critical acclaim by publications such as Sound on Sound, MusicTech, and Future Music Magazine. These products continue to be used by some of the top sound designers and artists in the industry including Deadmau5, Timbaland, and Martin Gore.

In 2020 Andrew launched the Daisy embedded platform in a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign for audio development boards. The Daisy platform is currently the engine for a multitude of groundbreaking designs in the synthesizer space including products by Noise Engineering, Knobula, and most recently the Chompi sampler which raised $1.2M on Kickstarter.

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Friday, January 26th, 2024; 1:00PM – 2:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

New Advances in Artistic Ideation and Creation, and the Tools To Make Them Happen

Every day, we witness the emergence of new ideation and content creation technologies, including AI-powered tools, that are revolutionizing the creative process. These tools empower artists and professionals to compose music, craft scripts, design game assets, and captivate audiences across a wide range of creative mediums, such as music, film, gaming, podcasting/storytelling, and social media entertainment, in ways previously unimagined.

Join this A3E session as we delve into how artists, spanning various content mediums, leverage an expanding array of instruments, software, and platforms to push the boundaries of creativity and distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive world of entertainment, all aimed at astonishing fans and consumers. Be part of the discussion, utilizing newly gathered peer data to explore which new technologies will have the greatest impact and pinpoint specific areas where these technologies can be further refined. Furthermore, our panelists will take a deep dive into content creators’ perspectives on the growing influence of AI-driven Content Generation (AICG) and its ramifications at every stage of content creation. We will explore metrics such as the time spent using AICG on individual projects and the overall percentage of AICG in all creative works.

The below graph and associated data, indicates the impact of several key technologies and their anticipated use on content creation in the coming year 2024. SOURCE: the “Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey”. © 2012 – 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Jessica Powell | CEO & Co-founder | AudioShake

Jessica Powell is the CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, whose sound-splitting AI technology makes audio more interactive, accessible, and useful. Named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, AudioShake is used widely across the music, film, dubbing, and transcription industries to power a wide range of audio-related workflows and consumer experiences.

David Fogel, Ph.D. | CEO/Co-Founder | The Symphonina Foundation

Dr. David Fogel has 40 years of experience in machine learning. He received a Ph.D. in engineering from UCSD in 1992 and was the founding editor-in-chief of the IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation. Dr. Fogel has received numerous recognitions, including an IEEE Technical Field Award. At Natural Selection, Inc., his team achieved the first win by a machine learning chess program over a nationally ranked chess master. In 2009, he was named one of the top-100 most-influential alumni in the then 50-year history of UCSD. Dr. Fogel also has a life-long passion for music. In 2018 he created a new genre of symphonic music called a Symphonina: a complete symphony with 3-4 movements that plays in about 10-12 minutes. He now serves as CEO and Co-Founder of The Symphonina Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to spreading the joy of symphonic music to young audiences around the world.

Declan McGlynn | Director of Communications | Voice-Swap

Declan McGlynn is an experienced music tech journalist and consultant who’s worked for and with the likes of Google, DJ Mag, Resident Advisor, Rolling Stone, Splice, Native Instruments, Universal Music Group and many more. He’s now the Communications Director of AI voice transformation platform Voice-Swap.

Daniel Rowland | Oscar-winning Engineer, Producer and the Head of Strategy and Partnerships | LANDR Audio

Daniel Rowland is an LA-based audio engineer, educator, and tech executive. He holds both a B.S and M.F.A. in Music Technology, and is currently Head of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR, cofounder of Audiotool, and longtime instructor at MTSU.

He has produced the music for an Oscar-winning Pixar film; and mastered multiplatinum/Grammy-nominated albums, while working on projects as varied as Nine Inch Nails, Seal, Phillip Glass, Nina Simone, David Foster, Flo Rida, Gayle, Gucci Mane, and Gwen Stefani, along with soundtracks for Star Wars, Marvel, John Wick, and others.

Daniel has helped grow LANDR to 5 million users, working to refine their AI mastering engine, plugins and other products, while crafting partnerships with leading brands and labels.

Curt Cameruci (known as Flosstradamus) | CEO / Founder / Artist | Rubin

Curt Cameruci, widely recognized as Flosstradamus, is an innovative force in the music industry, acknowledged as an early pioneer in the EDM trap genre. His unique blend of trap, hip-hop, and electronic elements has led him to headline major music festivals and sell out iconic venues globally, amassing over 500 million music streams in his 18+ year career. His collaborative efforts with renowned artists such as Post Malone, Diplo, and Dillon Francis have significantly impacted the music scene.

Venturing beyond his musical achievements, Curt has embarked on groundbreaking technology projects. In 2021, he pioneered a physical-to-digital minting device for NFTs, showcasing his ability to merge music with the latest digital innovations. With over a decade of experience in advising music, tech, and AI companies, Curt has established himself as a key influencer at the nexus of these industries.

Currently leading Rubin, an AI/Music research and development firm, Curt is at the forefront of creating innovative AI tools that are reshaping the music industry. His profound understanding and insights in this area have led him to be a speaker at leading conferences such as ETH Denver and NFT LA, where he shares his visionary ideas on the convergence of music and technology. Curt's journey through the music and tech worlds is a testament to a rare and inspiring fusion of creativity and technological expertise.

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Friday, January 26th, 2024; 2:00PM - 3:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

New Innovations in Tools and Technologies for Real-time Remote Music Collaboration

In a recent and ongoing A3E survey, artists and content creators emphatically emphasized the significance and reliance on online collaboration tools. An overwhelming 94% of respondents indicated that these tools were extremely or very useful in their creative processes and digital artistry.

Join this session where our panel of experts will look at the new innovations and advances in remote collaborations, file sharing and digital asset management. Discussions will include infrastructure and platforms being explored, as well as the artists and engineers that are being enabled through powerhouse partnerships in the entertainment and telecommunications industry.

The below graph and associated data, indicates an undeniable importance and value content creators place on the ability to leverage remote collaboration tools and resources. With a 93.6% overall useful rate, and an impressive 65.4% response rate of VERY and EXTREMELY useful, this A3E session will be a must attend. SOURCE: "The Future of A3E Digital Artistry™ Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Friday, January 26th, 2024; 3:00PM - 4:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

The Forces of Integrations, Interoperability, and Standards Impacting Your Art and its Compatibility with Other Arts

From ideation and creation to content collaborations, as well as in the management of your business and project workflows, manufacturers and platforms are continuously evolving through new integrations while adapting to the effects of increased interoperability, novel formats, and emerging standards.

Join this session to acquire insights into the technological and market forces that will drive the products used in the various forms of content creation (music, gaming, film, etc.), explore potential new formats necessary to achieve higher levels of artistic quality, and delve into the special effects that fans and consumers expect in their entertainment experiences. Importantly, the conversation will be fueled by new A3E peer data and sights looking at external forces, including legal and data privacy considerations, as well as the effects of the ever-increasing convergence between Human-Driven Content Creation (HDCC) and AI-driven Content Generation (AICG).

One of the core research areas of Sitarian, A3E and the Concert™ survey is to explore "Tech-Driven Integrations & Interoperability: Advancing Digital Artistry". The below graph and associated data, focuses on the assessed "existing standards" as it relates to AI-Driven Content Generation (AICG), by the entertainment vertical. Note the "does NOT meet standards" as indicated by the A3E communities of content creators. This is a main focus for A3E's 2024 Anaheim educational programming for the NAMM show. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Friday, January 26th, 2024; 4:00PM - 5:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

The Studio of the Future & Music Production: Technological Advancements & Insights from Leading Engineers and Producers

Immerse yourself in the technological frontier of music production in this session, "The Studio of the Future & Music Production." This technical exploration is designed for industry professionals, audio engineers, and musicians seeking an in-depth understanding of the emerging technologies shaping the contemporary music studio and content production through the eyes of some of today’s leading engineers and producers. Join the discussion as key topics such as the latest features and enhancements in DAW software; the increasing role of the role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; leveraging ATMOS to push the boundaries of music production, enabling immersive soundscapes, richer mixes, and new creative possibilities; and the future trends of technology and its potential to reshape the audio landscape across various media, including music, film, and gaming.

The below graph and associated data, focuses on the products and workflows in today's studios. Note the "does NOT meet expectations" as indicated by the A3E communities of content creators. This is a main focus for A3E's 2024 Anaheim educational programming for the NAMM show. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Friday, April 14, 2023; 5:00PM - 6:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

MIDI 2.0: Enabling the Next Wave of Artistry and Content Creation

Erin Barra-Jean | Executive Director and Founder of We Make Noise, Director and Assistant Professor, Popular Music Program, Arizona State University | We Make Noise, Arizona State University

With a wide-ranging skill set as a music and tech educator, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, entrepreneur, and activist, Erin has been a key player in many projects. An authoritative voice in music, tech, and education, Barra is the Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University, Executive Director of Beats By Girlz, course developer for Berklee Online, and former Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Specializing in composition, performance, and creative music technology applications, she has worked with and represented companies such as Ableton, ROLI, MusicTech, Moog, Splice, and iZotope, and has presented in venues and institutions around the world including Loop, NAMM, SXSW, Moogfest, Gearfest, and many others.

Paul McCabe | Global VP of R&D and Strategic Partnerships | Roland Corporation

Paul McCabe is the Global Vice President of R&D and Strategic Partnerships for Roland Corporation Japan, where he is also responsible for vision, strategy, and executive oversight of the company’s global post purchase CX. In addition, Paul volunteers as a member of the MIDI Association Executive Board and focuses on branding and marketing/storytelling. Paul is a family man, musician, composer, IT enthusiast, & a fan of science fiction and ice hockey.

Athan Billias | President | The MIDI Association

Athan Billias has dedicate his whole life to music, technical innovation and MIDI. He played keyboard with Herb Reed and the Platters and Jerry Martini from Sly and the Family Stone. He then moved into the musical instrument industry as Product Planning Manager at Korg where he helped turn the Korg M1 into the largest selling music workstation of all time. He then Joined Yamaha as a Director of Marketing where he was involved with the product planning and marketing of Yamaha products including the Motif Series and the Montage. He has been on the Executive Board of The MIDI Association for over 25 years.

Mike Kent | Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer  | AmeNote Inc.

Mike is a world leader in technology for musical instruments and audio/video. Mike is the Chair of the MIDI 2.0 Working Group of MIDI Association and Chair of the MIDI Working Group of USB Implementers Forum. Mike has consulted to Yamaha, Apple, Roland, Musescore, Shure, Artiphon, and Analog Devices. AmeNote is developing USB MIDI 2.0 which will be released in a future Windows OS. Mike contributed audio processing technology design for NASA’s Ames Research Center. Mike is a Member of the Program Advisory Committee for BS in Computer Science & Digital Audio and BA in Music & Sound Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology.

The MIDI Association at Winter NAMM 2024, Booth 10302

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 11:00AM - 12:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

The Creative Combination of Immersive Audio and AI: Challenges and Opportunities

In spite of the buzz about music generated by Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs) and Deep Learning, there’s been very little noise about how AI could disrupt Immersive Audio production workflows and software development. Join this A3E discussion for an engaging exploration into the fusion of immersive audio and artificial intelligence. Delve into the intricate landscape of challenges and opportunities that arise as these cutting-edge technologies continue to evolve alongside each other. Discover how AI augments immersive audio experiences, the hurdles faced in their integration, and the vast potential they hold across industries. Join these experts as they navigate this innovative terrain, uncovering new avenues for creativity and pushing the boundaries of sensory engagement.

The below graph and associated data, indicates the correlation between Immersive Audio and AI, and their overall impact on the entertainment industry for the coming year 2024 as perceived by A3E communities and survey respondents. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 12:00PM - 1:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Artists and Content Creators' Impact & Social Responsibilities in a World of AI and Information

In a rapidly evolving world shaped by artificial intelligence and art, content, and information proliferation, artists and content creators wield significant influence over fans and societal narratives. This session delves into the profound impact and social responsibilities that accompany their creative endeavors. Join us to explore the ethical dimensions of content creation in the age of AI, examining how artists navigate the delicate balance between innovation, creativity and responsibility. From addressing potential biases in algorithms, the implications of synthetic data, the danger of deep fakes, this discussion aims to inspire a thoughtful reflection on the role of artists and content creators in shaping a more conscious impact on entertainment & society.

We’ll explore insights into the transformative potential of technology, art and content creation, and discover strategies to harness these forces for positive societal change. Whether you're an artist, content creator, or simply curious about the intersection of creativity and responsibility, this session invites you to engage in a dynamic conversation about the evolving landscape of expression, technology and influence in the digital era.

The below graph and associated data, shows the prior and planned use of AICG in the various entertainment industry verticals for 2023 and for the coming year 2024, respectively, as indicated by A3E communities and survey respondents. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 1:00PM - 2:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Intellectual Property, An Ongoing Conversation: Updates on the Critical Issues, Technologies and Developments Impacting Artistic Originality and Art

Join this group to discuss the latest current events, technological impacts and markets forces as well as other crucial aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) protection strategies employed by artists, creators, and content owners to safeguard their artistic originality, intellectual property rights, and data sets in an ever-evolving digital landscape spanning various artistic mediums of music, film, gaming, podcasting/storytelling, and social media entertainment.

Driven by newly gathered A3E industry data from content creators’ perspectives, we will explore the roles and impact of government, industry, and AI-driven Content Generation (AICG). Additionally, we will investigate the use of blockchain technology: where and when can artists rely on this application for IP protection? Furthermore, we'll examine whether creative tools manufacturers and technology providers are doing enough to support the protection of artistic content.

As Concert and A3E prepare to unveil their Entertainment Technology Survey findings at the NAMM Show, the recent U.S. and global news, such as the recent European Union's AI Act announcement, reverberates profoundly within the A3E Content Creator community. The survey's insights and feedback underscore a compelling narrative — a pressing call for collaboration among artists, creative tools/instruments, hardware and software manufacturers, technology platforms, and both domestic and international standards and governments. Despite desires for minimal government involvement, A3E emphasizes an overwhelming necessity for these diverse entities to unite in sustaining a thriving creative marketplace. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Jessica Fajfar | Senior Counsel, Professor/Director | RafterMarsh US, University of San Francisco

Jessica Fajfar is Senior Counsel at RafterMarsh US, a boutique, transatlantic law firm that focuses on music and AI technology companies, with expertise in intellectual property, privacy, contracts and corporate matters. Jessica is also the Director of the University of San Francisco’s Internet & IP Justice Law Clinic, where she also teaches intellectual property law. The Clinic provides pro bono legal assistance to creatives and small companies in connection with their intellectual property, privacy and contract matters.

Benn Jordan | Producer/Data Scientist/CCO | Voice-Swap

Benn Jordan, known as "The Flashbulb" in his popular musical endeavors, is now a prominent figure in the science education and audio technology space.

Dani Deahl | Head of Communications & Creator Insights | BandLab

As a prominent figure in music, Dani Deahl has been at the forefront of artist discovery and meaningful industry change for over a decade. Currently, she serves as the Head of Communications & Creator Insights at BandLab, a social music creation platform headquartered in Singapore. She leads the company's strategic messaging and quantitative analysis of key industry trends.

As a leader in music and culture, Dani most recently served as Editorial Director at Output where she led content strategy development through insightful industry storytelling with artists like Lucky Daye, Richie Souf, and Krewella.

Before her time at Output, Dani led The Verge’s coverage of consumer music tech, authoring influential features on topics like music creation trends, AI, emerging genres, and creator platforms. At The Verge, she also handled artist relations and produced and hosted The Verge’s video series, “The Future of Music," featuring acts like Charli XCX, Steve Aoki, and Eric Prydz.

As a public figure in the music tech community, Dani has provided thought leadership at conferences around the world, including TEDx, AMP Music Summit, Midem, Mondo NYC, SXSW, Music Tectonics, Billboard Live Music Summit, and more.

Additionally, Dani is a DJ and dance music producer, with releases on labels like Dim Mak, Monstercat, and Armada. She currently serves as Governor on the Board of the Recording Academy’s Chicago Chapter.

Mike Johns | Founder | Digital Mind State

Mike Johns is a tactician who sits at the intersection of tech, entertainment, media, and politics— providing creative direction, message development, content strategy, and a 360 approach to business development and growth. Operating in Los Angeles, Johns serves clients globally with London as his second home. Johns leverages his diverse experience and connection to enhance the image and reputation of public figures, artists, businesses, organizations, and agendas that move the world forward. Goal, impact 1 billion people within the next ten years. He has been featured on Fox News, Wireless Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Mobile Entertainment and is among Hollywood’s who’s who decision maker.

BT | Founder | SoundLabs.AI

BT is a music industry icon with an impressive 25+ year career as a Grammy-nominated producer, composer, technologist, and songwriter. His pioneering work in Trance and IDM laid the groundwork for modern EDM, and he’s also a classically trained composer and songwriter. BT’s signature plugins like Stutter Edit 1&2 for Izotope and Phobos & Polaris with Spitfire Audio have become essential tools for producers worldwide. He’s written, produced, and remixed for a stunning array of top artists like David Bowie, Madonna, and Tiesto, and is an accomplished film composer for scores like Monster and The Fast and The Furious. BT’s creativity also extends to groundbreaking projects like writing the music for Tomorrowland at Disneyland Shanghai and exploring the web 3 space with his Genesis.json NFT, Metaversal, and The Orbs – a collection of infinite music and 3D art pieces.

Michael John Kiely (Mick Kiely) |  Founder/CEO | IAIAI Technologies

Mick Kiely, an Irishman and visionary pioneer in the realm of generative music. In 2013, Mick innovated and developed the world's very first generative music platform 'XHAIL', a platform warmly embraced and adopted by creatives in Hollywood.

Committed to ethical innovation, Mick merges music seamlessly with AI, advocating for fair compensation for artists, especially in the realm of AI amplification. Apart from his inventive pursuits, Mick is a respected composer, author, educator, and speaker. In 2020, he advised the Recording Academy of America on the ethical use of AI in music.

Mick's journey continued as XHAIL evolved into HYPH in 2021. After departing from HYPH, he founded IAIAI Technologies in 2023. For Mick it is about more than just technological advancement; it's about the reformation of an industry to better serve and recognize its most vital contributors, the artists.

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 2:00PM - 3:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Engagement Technologies: Enhancing Fan & Consumer Experiences

Discover the latest advances, essential strategies, and pressing challenges that every content creator should grasp to retain and expand their audiences and communities. Dive into the realm of technology as we explore the options available for various forms of content. We'll discuss where priorities lie and examine the role of both traditional and cutting-edge technologies in content creation. Gain insights into effective strategies and learn how to assess their impact. Join us to uncover the key challenges and considerations shared by fellow content creators and artists, as well as how developers can play an important role, in their interactions with audiences, fans, and consumers.

Artists and content creators have an ever evolving and powerful means for fan engagement leveraging new technologies and platforms - another core research area as part of the Entertainment Technology survey. A3E and Concert™ looked to assess and rank key issues, considerations and challenges when implementing engagement technologies to enhance fan and consumer experiences. The below graph and associated data sheds insights on key considerations. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 3:00PM - 4:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Monetization Strategies for Artists & Content Creators: Analysis & Insights

Join this engaging session with a panel of experts as we delve into exclusive, previously unreleased A3E data, offering valuable insights into the dynamic monetization landscape for artists. Explore how content creators and entertainment platforms are harnessing digitalization to capitalize on emerging business models, inventive distribution channels, and a diverse range of revenue streams to fuel their creativity and artistic endeavors.

We'll uncover the strategies creatives are employing to generate revenue, pinpoint the most promising opportunities within the entertainment industry, and examine the role of AI-driven Content Generation (AICG) in revenue generations as well as understanding and comparing the value of Human-Driven Content Generation (HDCC) in this context and the revenue generating equation. Additionally, discover where content creators anticipate the market's trajectory across various revenue-generating avenues, including NFTs, the Metaverse, proprietary apps, streaming, YouTube, merchandising, and more.

When it comes to monetization, and Human-Driven Content Creation (HDCC) vs. AI-Driven Content Generation (AICG), the A3E community of respondents overwhelmingly would like to see a premium placed on their efforts, works, and unique individual creations. What will the markets support? What will fans and consumers support? This is the imperative A3E will focus on from the opening keynote, to the subsequent conversations that will follow. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

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Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 4:00PM - 5:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

Quantum Computing + Content Creation: The Next and Possible Final Frontier in Artistic Creativity

Quantum computing and its underlying principles will undoubtedly impact life as we know it. Artists, musicians, and research & development engineers in the creative industries will need to adapt and explore new possibilities as quantum computing continues to evolve. Vastly improved machine learning could lead to more sophisticated AI tools that can better understand and generate artistic or musical content, opening up new possibilities for collaboration between humans and machines.

Quantum computing will offer a new creative world where artists will be able to process and analyze massive datasets of musical or visual information more efficiently and quickly. A world of new creative tools and software that utilize quantum algorithms that could assist artists and musicians in generating novel and innovative works by exploring unconventional patterns, structures, compositions, and musical elements. Additionally, as quantum computing advances, it could potentially create new or break existing, encryption methods, leading to a greater need for quantum encryption techniques to protect intellectual property and digital assets.

Back to A3E 2024 Anaheim At-A-Glance

Saturday, January 27th, 2024; 5:00PM - 6:00PM Pacific Time; Anaheim Convention Center; Level 2, Room 204C

The Continuing Evolution of Interactive Audio and Expanding Applications for Music

Interactive audio is big business. From games, films, AR, VR, streaming, AI, and more, the field is diverse and growing. Careers in music don't just revolve around hit songs, especially in today's fragmented music business landscape. There are many other ways to leverage musical creativity and production skills, as this session discussion will explore bringing together a panel of today’s top creative professionals, ranging from large studios to indie producers, to discuss what they believe you need to know about the technical and professional challenges that lie ahead. Whether you are already working in the field or are considering how to apply your skills to new opportunities in this ever-evolving landscape, this panel is a must attend!

According to the A3E communities, the mix of different content types, particularly in music and audio, is opening up fresh possibilities for creators. As we compare 2023 to the upcoming 2024, it's evident that experts can explore other fields to showcase their skills. Projecting ahead, in the years to come, content creators will need to stay updated on both the creative chances and the specific tools used for delivering nuanced content in various sectors. SOURCE: the "Concert™ 2024 & A3E 2024 Anaheim Entertainment Technology Industry Survey". © 2012 - 2024 Sitarian™ Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Austin James Smith | Sound Designer, Steering Committee Member | Blackwater Soundworks, IASIG

Austin James Smith is an audio designer, editor, and composer with a focus on game audio implementation. A self-described generalist, Austin interests in art spread far and wide, and the work speaks for itself. As a freelancer, Austin has contributed to various media projects, such as audio design and mixing for the documentary film Shadow of Dumont (2020), and game audio design for Wild Sky TD (2019), Initial II: New Stage (2018), and more. In 2020, Austin graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Academy of Art University, and currently works with Game Audio Institute providing media generation, content management, and social media support. Austin lives with his wife in Berkeley, California, and is an avid supporter of metal music, skateboarding, and coffee.

Joe Kataldo | Composer & Sound Designer | Mad Wave Audio, LLC

Joe Kataldo is a composer and sound designer with a rich career spanning over a decade. He boasts a prolific portfolio of work that includes contributions to notable projects such as "Archer: Danger Phone," “H3VR” and the Team Fortress 2 VR parody, "Terminator Salvation VR Ride", the recent remaster of "XIII", "The Last Night", and “X8”. Notably, his score for "Blind Fate: Edo No Yami" earned a nomination for Best Video Game Score at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2022.

As the owner of Mad Wave Audio, LLC, Joe has crafted audio for countless Toyota commercials and provided immersive VR audio for theme parks like Songcheng's "Dreamland" in China. He holds degrees from Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Music Conservatory of Napoli in Italy. In addition to his prolific work, Joe Kataldo shares his expertise by teaching a post-graduate masterclass on game audio for ADSUM.it.

Scott R. Looney  |  CTO/Co-Founder  |  Game Audio Institute

Scott Looney is a passionate artist, soundsmith, educator, and curriculum developer who has been helping students understand the basic concepts and practices behind the creation of content for interactive media and games for over fifteen years. He pioneered interactive online audio courses for the Academy Of Art University, and has also taught at Ex’pression College, Cogswell College, Pyramind Training, UC SantaCruz, City College SF, and SF State University. He has created compelling sounds for audiences, game developers and ad agencies alike across a broad spectrum of genres and styles, from contemporary music to experimental noise. In addition to his work in game audio and education, he is currently researching procedural and generative sound applications in games, and mastering the art of code.

Garry Schyman

Garry Schyman is an American composer, known for his work for the Bioshock series, Praetorians, Destroy All Humans, Dante’s Inferno, and Middle Earth Shadows of Mordor (Figure 4.9). Very early in his video game career he composed and conducted the score to Voyeur, where he uses live instruments to great effect. In fact, this score is one of the first if not the first orchestral recordings for a video game. Developed for the Phillips CDi system, notable for featuring live- action video, Voyeur is widely considered a pioneer of interactive movie games. Released in 1994, it is an adventure game developed and published by Censor Design. The Story is set in a luxurious hotel, where the player takes on the role of a journalist named James Ransome, who is investigating a murder that occurred in one of the hotel rooms. The player must gather evidence, interview suspects, and solve puzzles in order to uncover the truth behind the murder.

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