Futures Lab Update
Each week we bring you a video roundup of fresh ideas, techniques and developments to help spark innovation and change in newsrooms across all media platforms. (2013–2017)
FL#200: Experimenting with interactive VR at Crossover
A group of filmmakers at Crossover is pushing the boundaries of immersive documentary storytelling by incorporating technologies like facial recognition into a virtual reality experience. Mark Atkin, a director of Crossover, tells us about the projects and explains how this kind of work might change viewers’ minds and behaviors. Reporting by Lindsey Miller, Rachel Wise … Continued
FL#199: Language recognition via Speechmatics
A British company called Speechmatics is working to build more accurate technology to turn spoken words into text across a wide range of different languages. We explore how the system might help journalists in the future. Reporting by Lily Oppenheimer, Rachel Wise and Jessica King. Additional information A key aspect of the technology is that … Continued
FL#198: Ideas for social video from VICE Media
The growth of Facebook Live and the continued popularity of video on social media platforms opens the door for new ways to tell stories visually. We get some ideas from Adam Banicki, senior producer at VICE Media. Reporting by Lily Oppenheimer, Rachel Wise and Jessica King.
FL#197: Following the crowd with Populace
The startup Populace uses data from social media and other sources to display crowd densities at various locations across urban areas. As a result, the system could make it possible for journalists to find out automatically whenever an unusually large crowd gathers in a public place. We find out how it works from founder and … Continued
FL#196: Automation at The Washington Post
Jeremy Gilbert, director of strategic initiatives at The Washington Post, says computer automation could increase a newsroom’s capabilities in three important ways: analyzing vast amounts of data, putting information into digestible forms, and tailoring the end result for each individual user. We dive into the details and find out how the Post has experimented already. … Continued
FL#195: A home page designed by algorithm
(Video missing) The Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet developed an algorithm guided partially by editors and partially by reader preferences that delivers a personalized home page for each website visitor. Editor in chief Fredric Karén credits the technology with a significant boost in online traffic and digital subscriptions. Reporting by Lily Oppenheimer, Rachel Wise and Jessica … Continued
FL#194: Immersive video conversations with Portals
Portals take video conferencing to the next level. The project combines new technology with a set of gold-painted shipping containers to enable people across the globe to converse as if they were side by side. Amar Bakshi, a former journalist who created the project, explains how it could expand upon traditional coverage of global news … Continued
FL#193: Searching within video files via LivingLens
LivingLens offers an artificial intelligence-driven technology that can enable clients to search for specific emotions or sentiments within video files. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Carl Wong tells us how it works. Reporting by Sarah Sabatke, Rachel Wise and Jessica King.
FL#192: Audio sharing via SoundBYTE
(Video missing) SoundBYTE is a social app that allows users to record and share audio with followers around the world, 14 seconds at a time. We find out how it works from Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Dan Kearns. Reporting by Kexin Sun, Rachel Wise and Jessica King. Additional information The app is free and … Continued
FL#188: Assembling social posts with Roundabout
(Video missing) Roundabout is a tool for creating customized, continually updated feeds of social media content from multiple accounts and platforms. The resulting collection of posts can be embedded within a webpage, enabling online viewers to see the grouped social media content all in one place. We find out how it works from Chief Executive … Continued