Keynotes – ACM IMX 2025

Dr. Yvette Wohn (she/her) is an associate professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology where she directs the Social Interaction Lab (socialinteractionlab.com). Her research is in the area of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) where she studies the characteristics and consequences of social interactions in online environments such as virtual worlds and social media. Her main projects examine 1) content moderation and online harassment , 2) digital patronage (creator-supporter dynamics), and 3) identity and online self-presentation.

Keynote Title: Taking the content out of moderation

Abstract:

Unseen and unknown by most general users, a large workforce which includes both AI and human labor work in conjunction to review and remove bad content from the Internet. This practice is referred to as content moderation. What constitutes as content, however, becomes more complex with immersive and interactive media. In this talk, I will I discuss my content moderation research from the past several years and point out what’s wrong with current approaches. We will then look into what challenges lie ahead, and potential solutions for managing bad behavior online.

Bernardo Cardoso is a seasoned technology leader with a strong track record in driving innovation across the digital media landscape. Currently serving as Head of xTV & Web at Sky, he oversees the development and delivery of client applications for leading global streaming platforms – including Peacock, NOW/WOW, SkyShowtime, and Showmax – with products earning accolades such as Google Play’s Best App for Google TV of 2024. Based in Portugal, Bernardo leads high-performing engineering teams across multiple countries, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. His remit spans a wide range of platforms, from web and smart TVs to consoles and set-top boxes, always with a focus on applying technology in the real world to enhance user experiences.

Prior to Sky, Bernardo held senior roles at Altice Labs and Portugal Telecom Inovação, where he played a key role in delivering IPTV and OTT solutions, mobile platforms, advertising delivery systems, M2M/IoT platforms, eHealth applications, and home automation experiences integrated with entertainment services.

His work consistently explores new interactive formats, protocols, and services that push the boundaries of digital consumption.

Bernardo holds a Ph.D. in Information and Communication in Digital Platforms, with research focused on unified audiovisual content consumption and personalized user experiences. He is the author of a book on digital video and has contributed extensively to academic literature with papers and chapters on streaming media, catch-up TV, interactive advertising, and personalization. He also holds several patents in multimedia indexing and video adaptation.

With over two decades of experience, Bernardo’s career spans core engineering, advanced R&D, and strategic leadership – shaping the evolution of digital television and streaming technology across Europe and beyond.

Keynote Title: Streaming Innovation: The Future of Sports Broadcasting

Abstract: This keynote explores how streaming technology is reshaping the landscape of sports broadcasting — and why that transformation is now more relevant than ever. Bernardo draws on NBCUniversal’s 2024 Paris Olympic Games coverage as a case study to examine the powerful convergence of sports, technology, and audience expectations. He will examine how Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms are leveling the playing field — bringing the same disruptive energy to live sports that they brought to Video-On-Demand (VOD). From giving niche sports unprecedented visibility to using personalization as a driver of inclusivity, Bernardo highlights the evolving role of streaming in amplifying the reach and resonance of sports content. The session will also spotlight cutting-edge innovations like AI-generated recaps, multi-angle viewing, and curated content highlights, as well as show how these elevate the fan experience. Finally, Bernardo will reflect on the future of OTT in sports broadcasting, emphasizing the rising importance of data-driven storytelling, interactivity, and hyper-personalization. This is a talk about innovation, diversity, and the wave of change redefining the future of sports media.

Esteban Clua is Full Professor at the Fluminense Federal University and General Director of UFF Medialab, CNPq PQ 1D researcher, Scientist of Our State in 2024 and 2019, by FAPERJ, Young Scientist of Our State in 2009 and 2013. He has a degree in Computer Science from the University of São Paulo, and a master’s and doctorate in Computer Science from PUC-Rio. His area of expertise is especially focused on the area of Video Games, Virtual Reality, GPUs and Simulation. He is one of the founders of SBGames (Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment), and is currently president of the SBC Special Games Commission (CEJOGOS). General President of IFIP Technical Committee 14 (TC14 digital Entertainment). In 2023, Esteban received the important award of Honored Researcher at SBGames (life achievement) by SBC for the area of Games and Digital Entertainment. In 2024, he received the Friends of the Navy medal from the Brazilian Navy, for the importance of his research for the institution.

In 2015, he was named NVIDIA CUDA Fellow, and in 2020, NVIDIA Ambassador. In 2007, he received the ABRAGAMES award as the greatest contributor from academia to the digital games industry in Brazil. He is currently the editor-in-chief of the CLEI Journal and a member of several editorial committees. Esteban is on the innovation council of the Secretariat of Culture of the State of Rio de Janeiro, a member of the Permanent Forum for Innovation and Technology of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, and a member of the board of the Innovation Agency of UFF. He coordinates and has coordinated more than 20 projects funded by funding agencies and private companies. To date, Esteban has more than 70 articles in journals and more than 230 full papers in conferences.

Keynote Title: Toward Realistic Rendering for Mixed and Virtual Reality Games

Abstract: The video game and VR industry continuously advances real-time rendering techniques, with an increasing focus on features like ray-tracing and global illumination. Additionally, VR/MR/AR games push for high-quality rendering despite constraints such as high-definition displays (requiring many pixels), less powerful processors, and higher frequency requirements. This talk will present key concepts of human visual perception, state-of-the-art optimization strategies, topics related to foveated rendering and the usage of neural rendering approaches.