AI Revolutionizes Video Streaming: Canon and Sony Lead the Charge in Japan's Labor-Shortage Battle
1min read In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven innovation, the video streaming industry is poised for a significant transformation. Renowned Japanese firms like Canon and Sony are at the forefront, developing cutting-edge tools designed to enhance efficiency within video production teams. These innovations are seen as a response to Japan’s pressing labor shortages, yet they also highlight a broader global narrative of AI potentially displacing human employment in the industry.
Canon has unveiled a groundbreaking "multi-camera orchestration" system. During a recent recording at Kodansha in Tokyo, a lone cameraman skillfully operated amid multiple cameras, thanks to automation. Canon’s system employs AI to analyze video feeds, identifying performers through skeletal structure mapping and allowing seamless adjustments. This technology marks a significant advancement, as it enables four to five cameras to communicate and function cohesively.
Kohei Maeda from Canon’s imaging division emphasized potential applications, such as tracking specific performers during live sports events. The company is actively exploring these possibilities with clients interested in leveraging the system for live broadcasts. The development is rooted in media industry challenges, particularly the difficulty of allocating adequate resources to individual content pieces amidst a saturated market.
Industry projections underscore the urgency for such innovation. A Japanese government white paper anticipates the global video streaming market to soar to $177.9 billion by 2027, growing 34% from 2024. This expansion poses increased workloads and uneven skill levels among employees, alongside heightened demands for video quality.
Amid these challenges, technological advances present lucrative opportunities for equipment manufacturers. Sony, for instance, is advancing technology that merges real objects with virtual backgrounds, reducing the need for extensive travel to various locations. Sony’s virtual production studio has already ventured into commercial projects, including automobile advertisements.
Similarly, NEC has introduced an "AI announcer" capable of supporting 80 languages with automatic translation, targeting understaffed local TV stations. Okinawa’s Asahi Broadcasting will incorporate this technology in its morning and late-night programs starting January next year.