A forward look to ISE -The accelerating convergence of AV, IT and Broadcast, with AI and cybersecurity moving centre stage

The professional AV industry is undergoing rapid structural transformation, driven by the convergence of AV, IT, broadcast and content creation technologies. Insights shared by Futuresource Consulting ahead of ISE highlight how networked systems, rising expectations for production quality, and the growing role of AI are reshaping technology strategies and routes to market across the global AV ecosystem.

Drawing on discussions from a Futuresource Spotlight session with industry leaders, the analysis reflects how ISE has evolved from a collection of specialist AV exhibitions into a single, integrated platform representing a fully connected industry. As technologies become increasingly generalisable and software-driven, traditional boundaries between AV verticals continue to dissolve.

Networked AV and industry convergence

A defining driver of this transformation is the widespread adoption of IP networking. The majority of AV products showcased at ISE now operate as network-connected devices rather than isolated systems, enabling greater flexibility, scalability and integration across applications.

However, this shift is also introducing new challenges. As AV systems move deeper into enterprise IT environments, questions around ownership, accountability, performance management and support are becoming increasingly complex. Futuresource analysis indicates that interoperability and ecosystem collaboration are now critical as end users deploy multi-vendor, networked solutions across multiple locations and use cases.

Broadcast technologies into enterprise

The session also highlighted the continued migration of broadcast-grade technologies into enterprise, financial services, education and corporate communications environments. Organisations are investing in higher-quality audio, video and production workflows as internal and external communications become brand-critical.

Rising expectations shaped by social media, streaming platforms and digital content consumption are influencing how organisations present themselves. As a result, production values once reserved for broadcast and live entertainment are now expected in boardrooms, town halls and investor communications. While this trend is expanding addressable markets for suppliers, it is also increasing complexity as vendors adapt to the differing needs of multiple verticals.

AI and cybersecurity: Interconnected priorities

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity emerged as closely linked themes throughout the session. AI is already embedded across collaboration platforms, content workflows and system management, supporting automation, analytics and efficiency gains. At the same time, it raises questions around data integrity, confidentiality and governance as AV systems increasingly generate and process sensitive information.

Cybersecurity is becoming a critical consideration as AV devices operate on shared enterprise networks. Futuresource highlights a growing tension between IT security priorities, which focus on risk mitigation, and AV performance requirements, where latency, reliability and real-time delivery are mission-critical.

Outlook

• Networked AV will continue to accelerate, increasing the need for interoperability and closer alignment between AV and IT stakeholders.
• AI adoption will expand beyond features into system-level intelligence, analytics and workflow optimisation.
• Broadcast-grade technologies will see wider deployment across enterprise and non-traditional AV environments.
• Cybersecurity considerations will increasingly influence AV product design, deployment models and purchasing decisions.
• Partnerships and ecosystem collaboration will become essential as solution complexity increases.

The Spotlight session featured insights from Dan Goldstein, Chief Product Officer at AVIXA, as part of Futuresource Consulting’s ongoing thought-leadership coverage supporting the professional AV and integrated systems market.

Check out the Futuresource market reports across these related sectors including collaboration, professional audio and semiconductors.

This session is free to download here.

About Futuresource

Futuresource Consulting provides the insights that power the world’s leading technology and media companies. For more than 30 years we’ve been combining rigorous data, sector expertise and a forward-looking view of market change to help organisations understand what’s happening, why it’s happening and what’s likely to come next. Our syndicated research, consulting services and industry partnerships span consumer electronics, entertainment, Pro AV, education and emerging technologies.

More information is available at www.futuresource-consulting.com

Press Contact:
Nicola Finn, Marketing Manager, Futuresource Consulting
nicola.finn@futuresource-hq.com