Redefining the “I” in SID

Since the founding of the Society for Information Display (SID) in 1962, we've witnessed decades of incredible innovations in display technology. Following the early proliferation of cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, new waves of visual display technologies materialized with the advent of plasma display panels (PDPs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), electronic paper displays (EPDs), and other inventions. Emerging technologies, such as microLEDs, have the potential to disrupt the field, especially because applications for displays also continue to evolve. Today, displays enable nearly every aspect of human life, including entertainment, communications, transportation, education, productivity, healthcare, and beyond. Yet there is another important aspect to consider in terms of progression—displays are becoming the primary interface for user interaction in a broad range of devices. Whether it's computers, mobile devices, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) headsets, medical equipment, smartwatches, or automotive infotainment systems, the display is no longer only a screen for showing visual content. It represents the primary human interface that facilitates interaction. The system applications in which visual displays play a crucial role include technologies for image capture, processing, storage, transmission, and display, as well as additional human-interface technologies, such as audio and haptics. Recent advances in computer graphics and vision, aided by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques, are enabling exciting new intelligent and interactive systems and applications. The ecosystem that SID serves increasingly includes these end-to-end imaging and vision technologies. This is what this article's title means, “Redefining the ‘I’ in SID.” As the landscape of the industry and applications enabled by display technology evolve, now is the time for SID to move beyond focusing narrowly on “information” (the original “I” in SID) toward the rich world of “imaging” technologies. In this way, we have an opportunity to broaden the scope of our impact and value to the industry and consumers. According to DSCC's Quarterly Flat Panel Display Forecast Report, the display industry represented $128 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $141 billion by 2027.1 Add to that the market for image sensors, which is expected to reach $31.4 billion by 20272—and the market for AI software, hardware, and services, which is predicted to be more than $500 billion in 20233—and the opportunities are clear. This evolution also means that display providers can deliver greater value to consumers. Display vendors increasingly offer top-of-the-line products with added software, algorithms, and capabilities to enhance the user's experience. This includes AI for enhanced image processing and deeper immersion, as well as intelligence to anticipate user intention and enable intuitive interactions. SID has been the primary society for display technologies since 1962, and displays always will be at its heart. Evolving our scope helps the society prepare for the next stage of growth in tandem with the evolution of the industry that we serve. Since my inaugural remarks at Display Week 2022, many of you have provided enthusiastic support and contributed ideas to take steps in this direction. We now are preparing for Display Week 2023, the flagship annual international symposium hosted by SID. One of the exciting highlights for this year is a new Imaging and Vision Special Event. Because of the key role that displays have at the heart of end-to-end imaging systems, we want to evolve Display Week to be a place to learn about these adjacent technologies. The one-day program will be held on Thursday, May 25, and it will feature keynotes, tutorials, and invited presentations. The event is designed to attract new speakers and a broader audience to the conference community and plant the seeds that will drive growth in coming years. Display Week 2023 will be held in Los Angeles, May 21–26, in the city where SID was founded. I hope you will attend. I am excited to be working with such a vibrant ecosystem of innovators to drive the next phase of growth of the society. I encourage you to reach out with ideas and comments to [email protected]. Achin Bhowmik is the president of the Society for Information Display. He can be reached at [email protected].