Artificial Intelligence Key Theme at DEG’s EnTech Fest 2026 Feb. 25
February 10, 2026
Artificial intelligence will be a key theme at DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group’s Feb. 25 EnTech Fest 2026 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
The lineup includes a keynote conversation, “Telling Stories With More Power and Flexibility Through AI,” featuring Kartel CEO Kevin Reilly, who is known for reshaping network and streaming content over four decades, who will discuss with Empire House’s Rick Hack the opportunity to enhance storytelling with AI that extends human creativity. They will discuss how the future of advanced content creation and distribution will be built with more-efficient processes for integrated workflows, intelligent systems that support content creators, and frameworks that amplify marketing.
Also part of the program is a conversation featuring Quinn Favret of Tavus and moderator Ben Relles of the Office of Reid Hoffman, exploring what happens when content can respond, adapt and hold a conversation. AI-powered avatars and digital twins are turning passive viewing into interactive experiences, opening new possibilities for how audiences connect with talent and storytelling. This session will explore where AI avatars are already gaining traction, where interactive video is headed and why it matters now.
In a fireside chat with leading entertainment lawyer Ken Ziffren, known for his groundbreaking deals in film and television, Ziffren will share his views on how the use of AI in entertainment will develop over the next five years. The chat will be moderated by The Wall Street Journal‘s Ben Fritz.
A panel will discuss how AI might help consumers, overwhelmed by an explosion of choice and a maze of fragmented platforms, figure out what to watch — and where to watch it, as well as how streamers and platforms differ on where discovery should happen. Panelists include Justin Inman of Emberos, Andreas Hofmann of LG Electronics and Matthew Dominguez of Xperi.
A case study panel, “Adding AI Layers to Modernize Legacy Product Offerings,” will unveil how two companies are innovating their legacy offerings by leveraging AWS’s AI Prototyping Team to help make their customers’ workflows more efficient. Speakers include AWS’s Shane Madigan, Fabric’s Rob Delf and Nomad Media’s Adam Miller.
EnTech Fest 2026 is a one-day event that includes exhibits, conference programming, and the DEG’s annual reception. In addition to AI, focus exhibit categories include emerging technologies, the consumer experience, immersive storytelling, and advanced content delivery. The annual event is for content distribution and marketing executives, platform partners, technology enablers, trend trackers, connected device and display developers, and innovators in digital entertainment.
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