The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been a staple event in the tech industry since its launch in 1967. Over the years, it has evolved and found its permanent home in Las Vegas every January since 1998. One of the highlights of this event is the Variety Entertainment Summit, which has been a key feature for more than half of the show’s history. This summit brings together leaders from various media verticals to discuss how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping entertainment and influencing culture.
This year, the Variety CES offering will consist of two parts, both taking place at the C-Space Studio at the Aria. The Variety Entertainment Summit will be held on January 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the Variety Business of Creators Summit, presented by Samsung Ads, will follow on January 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lineup of participants includes industry heavyweights such as Disney’s Rita Ferro, Hasbro’s Kim Boyd, and actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Simon Helberg.
The discussions at this year’s summit will be especially pertinent due to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), which many perceive as a significant threat. However, Jon Liebman, chairman and CEO of Brillstein Entertainment Partners, highlights that throughout history, technology disruptions have often fueled the growth of the entertainment industry rather than destroying it. Liebman’s perspective will be shared during the panel on “The Future of Content,” moderated by Variety’s co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton on January 7.
Another hot topic at the summit will be AI storytelling, with Jonathan Yunger from Arcana, actor-producer Breckin Meyer, and Luminate’s Andrew Wallenstein discussing how AI can enhance content production while maintaining or reducing costs. They emphasize that AI is a tool that complements the creative process rather than replacing it.
Additional panels at the Variety Entertainment Summit will cover a range of topics such as the new business of entertainment, events across platforms, fandom trends, and the outlook on future industry trends. The Business of Creators Summit on January 8 will delve into the creator economy in media and entertainment, the rise of creators on TV, and the power of creator brands, among other relevant themes.
Overall, the Variety CES events promise to be engaging and insightful, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment and how technology continues to shape the industry. Attendees can expect thought-provoking discussions, valuable insights, and networking opportunities with some of the most influential figures in the media and entertainment landscape.
