Welcome to a New Open Access Journal for Multimedia

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce Multimedia, the new MDPI journal dedicated to the ever-evolving and multidisciplinary field of multimedia. As the Editor-in-Chief, I am honored to introduce a platform that aspires to be at the forefront of advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of multimedia technologies and their applications.

The multimedia landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The convergence of artificial intelligence, big data, and immersive technologies—augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR)—is redefining how information is created, consumed, and experienced. From groundbreaking research in neural networks for image and video processing to advances in multimodal human-computer interactions, the scope of multimedia has expanded beyond traditional boundaries, making it a cornerstone of modern digital ecosystems.

Our vision for this journal is to serve as a beacon for cutting-edge research, practical insights, and interdisciplinary dialog. We aim to publish high-quality contributions spanning a wide spectrum of topics, including machine learning and deep learning techniques for multimedia analysis, retrieval, and generation; novel approaches to multimedia communication and networking, addressing challenges in bandwidth, latency, and scalability; and ethical considerations and societal impacts of multimedia technologies, including issues of accessibility, inclusivity, and digital equity.

Articles will encompass both research advancements and cutting-edge practices in hardware and software, spanning theoretical concepts to fully operational systems. Submissions that share experiences with innovative or advanced systems and subsystems are particularly encouraged. Eligible papers should emphasize aspects specific to multimedia systems and applications, such as the distinct requirements of multimedia data compared to other electronic formats; for instance, the substantial storage needs of digital media, or the critical role of time in their representation. The journal’s primary objective is to serve as a platform for researchers and practitioners to share new discoveries and practical experiences in multimedia systems and applications. Additionally, it keeps readers updated on the latest developments, emerging trends, and research directions within the multimedia field.

In addition to these established areas, we are excited to explore some of the most dynamic and emerging topics in multimedia. These include:

• Generative AI and creative content production: the rise of generative models such as diffusion-based systems and large language models is revolutionizing how multimedia content is created, from hyper-realistic imagery to personalized media experiences.
• Neuro-symbolic multimedia AI: combining the strengths of neural and symbolic approaches offers new avenues for understanding, reasoning, and generating multimedia in ways that are interpretable and scalable.
• 5G/6G and edge multimedia processing: the advent of ultra-fast and low-latency networks is enabling real-time multimedia applications such as immersive streaming, telepresence, and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart environments.
• Digital twins and spatial computing: digital twin technologies and spatial computing are becoming vital for building dynamic and interactive multimedia models of real-world environments, impacting industries from urban planning to entertainment.
• Trustworthy and explainable multimedia AI: with the increasing integration of multimedia AI in sensitive domains like healthcare and legal systems, the need for explainability, fairness, and security has never been more critical.
• Multimodal fusion and cross-modal learning: advances in aligning and integrating data from different modalities—such as text, audio, and video—are unlocking new possibilities for holistic media understanding and interaction.

Authors are encouraged to submit articles exploring the latest advancements, tackle emerging challenges, and propose visionary frameworks that push the bounda-ries of what is possible in multimedia research.

As we embark on this journey, we recognize that the success of this journal relies on the collaborative efforts of a vibrant community of researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders. I invite you all to contribute, critique, and collaborate, helping us to make this journal a thriving hub for knowledge exchange. Together, we can illuminate the path forward and empower multimedia technologies to transform our world for the better.

On behalf of the editorial board, I thank you for joining us on this exciting endeavor. We look forward to your valuable contributions and insights in shaping the future of multimedia.