United Cloud, the innovation hub of United Cloud, hosted its first expert meetup, bringing together top streaming industry professionals, with Jan Ozer, a luminary in the field, as the main speaker. The gathering was further elevated by Boban Kasalović, Senior Product Manager, and Nemanja Krivokapić, System Architect, who unveiled the groundbreaking innovations United Cloud is weaving into its end-to-end system. Boban and Nemanja particularly highlighted the advantages of United Cloud’s in-house encoding development, which allows for faster adaptation to technological changes and tailor-made methods for real-time video quality assessment. We took the time to bring to you this interview with Jan Ozer, who discussed the importance of innovation, the role of centres like United Cloud, and how AI is already changing the streaming world.
game-changing innovations:
Jan Ozer and United Cloud on the Future of Video Streaming and the Role of Artificial Intelligence
how do you see the future of streaming, especially regarding innovations?
Video streaming is growing incredibly. It used to be a way to watch sports or movies, but the pandemic has opened new markets, like video conferencing. In the coming years, we will see new markets. One is video for machines, where autonomous vehicles or machines will use video for functionality. Also, the virtual reality market will be huge, especially with smart glasses. Streaming video content in a virtual environment will be crucial, with the application of artificial intelligence, for a better user experience.
how will the global streaming market develop?
The entertainment industry will grow, and video conferencing will become increasingly significant. The market for video content for machines will explode as autonomous technologies develop. In 10 years, we won’t be driving trucks or cars, so the market for video content for machines will be enormous.
how does united cloud's approach compare with global innovation trends?
I’ve been working with United Cloud for several years, and the projects they have worked on are impressive. The first project we collaborated on was related to applying advanced codecs like AV1 before many global companies started thinking about it. United Cloud has its streaming solution, including the encoding stack, which gives it an advantage over companies that use off-the-shelf tools. They developed their player, ensuring top-notch video quality. Metrics like VMAF, usually used for VOD, have been successfully implemented for live video, which is exceptional.
how will ai and machine learning impact the streaming industry?
Artificial intelligence is already affecting video encoding. Many companies use AI to improve codecs like AV1 and HEVC. In the future, we will see AI-based codecs enabling more flexible decoding that doesn’t depend on specific hardware. Instead, neural processing units (NPUs) will be used, allowing faster processing and more efficient video delivery. This transition will be one of the most significant in the coming years.
What are your tips for companies looking to optimise video delivery?
The most common mistake is failing to invest. The world of streaming is constantly changing. Codecs like H.264 are still widely used, but the future lies in AV1 and similar technologies. Companies must be ready to experiment, introduce new technologies, and adapt to the market.
The first in a series of United Cloud’s expert meetups successfully opened doors for further knowledge exchange and collaboration in the region, highlighting the role of AI and advanced technologies in the future of streaming. United Cloud continues to lead technological innovations with the ambition to empower the regional community and provide new opportunities for young talents to develop critical competencies in their homelands.