The 15th International Conference on Quality of Multimedia Experience (QoMEX) was held in Ghent, Belgium from 20-22 June 2023. The conference which brought together specialists from across academia and business, featured major developments in multimedia quality, user experience (UX), and well-being. QoMEX 2023 pushed the boundaries of multimedia technology, fostering collaboration among diverse communities with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity.
QoMEX 2023 was hosted in De Krook, a well-known architectural treasure on the banks of the Scheldt River. The setting was spectacular, and guests enjoyed a lively environment full of innovation and information exchange. De Krook’s café had a beautiful terrace with views of the river and the city centre, further enhancing the conference experience.
Keynote Presentations, Interactive Sessions and Special Tracks
The conference kicked off with a captivating keynote by Marisa Carrasco-Queijeiro, a cognitive neuroscientist, who delivered an interesting keynote presentation on how our visual perception is influenced by our attention. Another engaging talk was given by Daniel Schien, who presented about the environmental effect of video streaming and the difficulty of lowering carbon emissions; while Mariek Vanden Abeele investigated digital well-being and the importance of disconnecting in our digital lives.
There were also interactive workshops and unique tracks where researchers and industry representatives could demonstrate their work. Medical picture quality assessment, sustainable quality of experience management, computer vision applications, and other topics were covered. Participants engaged in active discussions, exchanging ideas and fostering collaboration.
A special session on immersive experiences was chaired by Tanja Kojic from TUB, in collaboration with Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons from HSHL, building further on the partnership of the DIDYOS-XR project. This session delved into the exciting realm of immersive multimedia experiences, exploring cutting-edge advancements in the field.
Notably, the award for diversity and societal impact was presented to the joint work titled “Protect and Extend – Using GANs for Synthetic Data Generation of Time-Series Medical Records.” The paper was a collaborative effort by Navid Ashrafi, Vera Schmitt, Robert P. Spang, Sebastian Möller, and Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons from TUB and HSHL. Their work showcased the innovative use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for generating synthetic medical data, advancing the field of time-series medical record analysis.
Networking Opportunities and Collaborations
QoMEX 2023 provided great networking opportunities for attendees. Informal gatherings, networking sessions, and social events facilitated connections among participants. By interacting with like-minded professionals from around the world, attendees shared insights and established new collaborations.
QoMEX 2023 was also of particular significance for the DIDYMOS-XR project, as it showcased the expertise and success of its partners as well as exciting advancements in multimedia technology with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity . The conference fostered collaboration and innovation, driving the field forward to enhance user experiences worldwide.
