We have so many choices for TV nowadays. How do you choose what to watch next from cable TV to multiple streaming platforms? There are almost too many choices. Well, artificial intelligence and machine learning are getting more accessible than ever. Here’s how both technologies are making it possible:
The Evolution Of TV From Broadcast TV To Streaming Online
These were the days when families gathered around the TV at primetime to catch their favorite shows. Today, everything is on demand. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, DIRECTV, and Amazon Prime have improved our viewing habits. But what many people don’t know about streaming is all the magic that happens behind the scenes. Artificial intelligence and machine learning work together tirelessly to curate a specially tailored experience for each viewer.
How Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Personalize Your TV
AI and ML technologies have been personalizing our TVs for years. We all have been benefiting from it, and here is how:
Personalized Recommendations
We all know this one; one of the most visible and well-known impacts of AI and ML is the recommendation engine. These systems analyze your viewing history, preferences, and even the time you watch in specific genres. In the background, it crunches this data and suggests shows and movies that seem to align with your viewing tastes. Not only is it great for viewers to find their next favorite show, but it’s also known to help keep viewers engaged on their streaming platform by continually serving up content that matches your interests.
Content Discovery
AI doesn’t just suggest what you might like based on your history; it also helps viewers discover new content they might not have ever considered or knew existed. By examining patterns across millions of users, AI can identify hidden gems and niche genres that you might enjoy because others have been. Please think of how Netflix has their top 10 in their interfaces. This broadens your viewing experience and helps you find the next best thing instead of turning to different streaming services.
Enhanced User Interfaces
Did you know that no two user interfaces are intentionally the same? AI and ML learn how you navigate their platform and change it to make your viewing experience easier with less scrolling. For example, if you frequently search for what’s new on DISH TV, the platform can prioritize this section and bump it higher up in your feed, reducing the time you spend looking for new content.
The Future Of Artificial Intelligence In TV
The future of artificial intelligence goes beyond simple TV recommendations. From interactive content to voice and gesture control, artificial intelligence is capable of so much more.
Interactive Content
Content doesn’t need to be mindlessly consumed. Imagine watching a TV show where the storyline changes based on your reactions and choices. That could happen someday. AI-driven interactive content is already making this a reality. TV shows like Netflix’s Black Mirror Bandersnatch allow viewers to make decisions that influence their plot and ending, creating a truly personalized narrative experience based on their decisions.
This concept isn’t all that new. We’ve had video games that operate in the same way for years. Tyranny, Prey, Dragon Age, and Baldur’s Gate 3 are like this. Your choices in these games can change the entire course of the game, from who survives to the storyline, the ending, and more.
Voice & Gesture Control
AI-powered voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are becoming commonplace in the home. These assistants allow you to control your TV with voice commands. Future advancements could include gesture control, too, where AI interprets your hand movements to navigate menus, play content, turn up the volume, pause content, and more, making interacting with your TV even more seamless.
Gesture control isn’t too far into the future. Samsung already has TVs with the gesture control feature called “My Gesture.” These TVs are a bit pricey, and there’s a learning curve to use the feature, but we expect it to be more user-friendly in the upcoming years.
Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
As VR and AR technologies grow and evolve, AI is anticipated to play a crucial role in creating immersive viewing experiences. AI can generate realistic environments and characters, offering a more engaging and interactive way to enjoy your favorite shows and movies. VR on TV is still in its infancy and is unlikely to replace traditional screens, but it could be a fun alternative to watch, much like 3D in theaters has been.
Ethical & Functional Concerns
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence and machine learning have primarily benefited our TV experiences. Many have spoken out against using both technologies over the years, but their usage indeed raises significant ethical and functional problems.
Data privacy is a significant concern. These technologies rely on vast amounts of personal data to work as expected. Streaming providers will need to go above and beyond to ensure that user data is protected and used responsibly and that it is never compromised or sold to third parties.
Another concern is that these technologies can create what is commonly referred to as echo chambers. This is where the recommendation systems only show content eerily similar to what you already like and have watched. This severely limits your exposure to other unrelated content. Essentially, having the opposite effect that streaming services mean to. Developers must find the perfect balance between personalization and recommending various content.