How AI and Immersive Audio are Rewriting the Rules of Listening

About this episode

The episode discusses how AI and immersive audio are transforming the listening experience.

In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny is joined by Dr. Mathias Johansson, Vice President of the Cognitive Systems Lab at Harman—a team at the forefront of AI and immersive audio innovation. Together, they dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the very nature of listening, making sound more responsive, emotional, and personal than ever before. Mathias shares how Harman’s legacy of engineering excellence and decades of research underpin their approach to immersive audio, from gaming and automotive to live music experiences. The conversation explores the science behind perceptual modelling, the challenges of creating truly realistic 3D sound, and how AI is shifting audio from something you control to something that understands you. He also discusses the future of sound—from adaptive, emotionally intelligent audio environments that follow you through your day, to the role of immersive audio in safety, entertainment, and even live concerts. Mathias reflects on the importance of user feedback, the intersection of psychology and technology, and Harman’s commitment to making world-class sound accessible to everyone. +++++++++ Hear more about Auracast here…

People in this episode

Host: Oisin Lunny

Guest: Dr Mathias Johansson

Topics covered

• AI
• immersive audio
• listening
• sound technology
• psychology

Keywords

• Cognitive Systems Lab
• perceptual modelling
• 3D sound
• adaptive audio
• emotional intelligence

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Harman, immersive audio technology

Books & works: Art of Listening

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