Cutting Through the Hype, with Lee Kebler

Lee Kebler - (He/Him), a visionary at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and storytelling, is set to bring his unique perspective to Hackfort . With over two decades of digital media experience—from producing music for global icons like Britney Spears to pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) broadcasting at the Japan 2020 Olympics - Kebler has consistently pushed the boundaries of how technology can amplify human creativity. His upcoming session, Designing Miracles: How Innovation Becomes Immersion, promises to inspire attendees with insights on cutting through tech hype cycles and focusing on what truly matters.

One of Kebler’s successes perfectly encapsulating his approach to innovation was his work in 2017, during a 25% tariff on steel that created significant challenges across the industry. While many focused on the disruption, Kebler saw an opportunity. “I asked myself if what I did in tech could help alleviate a difficult situation and create something positive,” he recalls.

He led a small team of developers and created a VR system that allowed steel manufacturers to design products virtually, reducing material waste and costs. “The key is to look beyond immediate obstacles and find opportunities for innovation that lead to positive change,” he explains. This project demonstrated Kebler’s ability to think creatively and reinforced his commitment to using technology to solve practical challenges.?

In a world where tech trends like the metaverse, NFTs, and AI dominate headlines, Kebler has learned to navigate the noise by focusing on what truly matters. “Products are prone to hype; features are prone to longevity,” he says. “If someone is pitching a product, a new widget that’s gaining hype and hysteria, approach with caution. But if there’s buzz around new features that revolutionize a product, we can get excited now.”

He points to AI as a prime example. “AI as a product will fail in time; in many cases, it already has. But AI as a feature, integrated into the products of our everyday lives—that’s a winner,” Kebler explains. While less flashy, this approach has staying power and leads to meaningful innovation. Rather simply asking “What can I do now, that I couldn’t before?”.

Kebler is also diving deep into the implications of generative AI and the splinternet theory, topics he’s exploring in an upcoming book. He believes that while AI companies may come and go, AI is here to stay. “AI is destined to be as ingrained in our digital lives as spell check - as a feature,” he says. As for VR, Kebler quickly dismisses claims that the technology is dead. “VR adoption is not dead; it’s just being adopted rapidly by a younger generation,” he notes. This shift, he believes, signals a future where immersive tech becomes a seamless part of everyday life.

For Kebler, innovation isn’t about chasing the next big thing; it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change. Whether designing VR solutions for industries in crisis or integrating AI as a feature rather than a product, his work is a testament to the power of focusing on what truly matters. When asked what he’s looking forward to at Hackfort this year, he answered, “Honestly, the dialog. I’m a community-driven designer. I don’t believe in hoarding knowledge or secrets. And I’m really looking forward to questions from the audience. QA is like my favorite part of a keynote.”

Kebler invites attendees to join him during his keynote in rethinking the future of technology—not as a series of fleeting trends, but as a tool for designing innovation into immersion; and where he’ll challenge you to focus on what’s real.

Come and see Lee's keynote: https://treefortmusicfest.com/event/sIHetWaOxurCKNIOxDzU

#VR #AI #metaverse #NFT #Hackfort #Hackfort2025 #XR