Media Industries and AI

Learn how AI is reshaping the media industry through the experiences of leading professionals working across the field. Panelists will share innovative, creative and ethical applications of AI, along with real-world examples, emerging opportunities and the challenges that come with adopting new technologies responsibly.

Monday, September 21
5:30-6:45pm
DMC 2.106 (Auditorium)

RSVP HERE

PANELISTS:

Jennifer Howell
COO
Deep Voodoo
Jennifer Howell is currently the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Deep Voodoo, where she oversees the creative direction for the innovative synthetic media and entertainment company co-founded by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Her career actually began with Stone and Parker as the Supervising Producer on “South Park” for the first 12 years of the show!

Jennifer has had an impressive career in the entertainment industry, working on many popular movies and TV shows. Before Deep Voodoo, she was the Head of Feature Film Development at DreamWorks Animation, where she managed a development slate of over 30 films, including “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Boss Baby” and “Trolls.” Her other roles have been at Paramount Television as Head of Comedy, and at the animation division at 20th Century Fox Animation, overseeing shows like “Bob’s Burgers,” “Family Guy” and “Futurama.”

Shane Metcalf
Head of Creative 
AMD

Shane Metcalf is Director and Head of Creative at AMD, where he leads the development of global campaigns, content and major live productions. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, he has worked across technology, gaming, television, music and entertainment. His work at AMD has included producing CES keynotes and collaborations with partners such as Pixar, Xbox and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Before joining AMD, Shane held roles in music television and gaming, including at Electronic Arts’ Origin Systems. He is a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s Radio-Television-Film program.

Ben Stanbury
CEO
Craftology.io

Ben Stanbury is a media and technology executive focused on the application of artificial intelligence to professional film, television, and content production. He is Co-Founder of Craftology, an AI-assisted production platform designed to help creative teams develop and produce high-quality episodic and feature content using the latest generative and production technologies. Previously, Ben served as Vice President of AI/ML at The Walt Disney Company, where he worked on emerging AI technologies, model evaluation, policy, and their application across studio workflows. Before Disney, he was Worldwide Head of Technology and CTO at Amazon Studios, leading technology strategy and operations across Amazon’s global film and television business and playing a key role in the technology integration of MGM. His work spans the intersection of creative practice, production,
technology, and business transformation, with a particular focus on how AI can expand creative possibility while changing the economics, workflows, and structure of professional content creation.

Bernie Su
Head of Creative
Pickford AI

Bernie is a Peabody and three-time Primetime Emmy award-winning director, producer, and interactive storyteller pushing the boundaries of narrative storytelling. He is the creator and showrunner of Whispers, Pickford.ai's groundbreaking interactive mystery series where audience prompts influence the show’s real time scene generation. He also serves as Pickford's Head of Creative.

His Emmy-winning works include Jane Austen adaptations The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Emma Approved—capturing YouTube's first two Primetime Emmys and Artificial, the live interactive sci-fi series that became Twitch's most decorated original series, winning a Webby, Peabody, and Primetime Emmy.

Bernie also creates and directs commercials and branded entertainment campaigns, working with Maybelline, Samsung, Olay, New York Life, and Old Spice. He is a sought-after speaker on generative AI's transformative impact, ethics, and risks across the creator economy and traditional entertainment industry.

Kenny Ye
Strategy Executive 
CAA

Kenneth Ye is a Corporate Strategic Development Executive at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA.). Based in Los Angeles, Ye develops corporate strategies and execution plans that help drive CAA’s growth and diversification efforts. Ye focuses on new business creation efforts for the Agency, covering topics such as talent venture and innovation, AI deployment in enterprise and production, and early stage investing across media and entertainment. Ye serves as an Investment Director in FRAME1GAMES, CAA’s first-of-its-kind investment fund and incubator for independent games.

Prior to joining CAA in 2021, Ye served as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, managing teams on large-scale technology transformations and innovation, as well as global strategy in consumer brands and businesses. He also was a former advisor and strategist for such organizations as the Estee Lauder Company and the U.S. Federal Government. Ye graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics.