Q&A with Neville Spiteri
From the podcast RealmIQ: Sessions
RealmIQ Sessions: Curt Doty Interviews Neville Spiteri of WEVR
Curt: Welcome to RealmIQ Sessions, where we explore the intersection of design, content, and technology with AI leaders and innovators around the world. I'm Curt Doty from RealmIQ, and today I'm excited to welcome Neville Spiteri, co-founder and CEO of WEVR. Neville, did I get that intro right?
Neville: Absolutely, Curt. Thanks for having me. That was a great intro. WEVR’s been around for 12 years now, and my personal tech journey started way back in the early '80s on a ZX81 computer. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Curt: That early curiosity clearly stayed with you. We also share a history at Digital Domain and Electronic Arts. Can you talk about your journey from those iconic places into immersive media?
Neville: Sure. At Digital Domain, I was trying to launch an interactive studio, but the recession hit. Before that, I helped lead the rebranding of Electronic Arts and EA Sports—"It’s in the game." That brand’s still alive today. That era shaped how I see the convergence of creativity and tech.
Curt: You've been at the crossroads of storytelling, gaming, and interactivity. What’s your take on how film and gaming evolved—initially in parallel—and then began to converge with real-time engines?
Neville: Great question. Initially, game development and filmmaking were separate. Game engines evolved and are now used across media—from linear animation to interactive experiences. Tools like Unreal and Unity are central to that shift. And yes, even adult content has historically driven tech adoption.
Curt: That’s true—VHS, DVDs, online video. Adoption is driven by curiosity and need. Like you said, even Charlie Chaplin was wary of talkies. Disruption is not new. It happened with the arrival of sound in film, digital VFX, and now with AI. How do you see the creator's role in this constant evolution?
Neville: It’s always about adaptation. Some animators embraced digital keyframing, others didn’t. At WEVR, we’ve always leaned into new tech. It’s our responsibility to evolve while keeping the creator at the center. We still use Maya, but also Blender, Unreal, Unity, and now generative AI. Some tools stick around—others push us into new workflows.
Curt: I’ve been calling this "Creative-Centered AI"—putting creatives in control of the tools and the output. What’s that looked like at WEVR over the past few years?
Neville: I love that framing. Creative-Centered AI really nails it. We started experimenting early. My co-founder Anthony was an early adopter. I’ve had a long-standing interest in neural nets and artificial life. Now that these tools are more accessible, we can use them directly in our process—like in our upcoming immersive exhibit combining historical storytelling and real-time rendering.
Curt: When there's limited reference material, that’s a perfect opportunity for creators to interpret and imagine. But it also brings up issues around ethics. What’s your take on the so-called "original sin" of AI—data scraping without attribution?
Neville: Attribution is key. We need new ethical models that honor creators—ideally through legislation, but also through action. Like Creative Commons, attribution should be standard practice. We’re exploring how to transparently list sources and inspiration for our productions. Artists influence each other—it’s part of the process—but the tech has made it more complicated.
Curt: Agreed. What about policy? Does WEVR have an AI usage policy?
Neville: We don’t have a formal policy on paper, but we do have an internal practice. Everyone is encouraged to learn and explore, but once something is used in production, we have a conversation—what tools, how they’re used, and full transparency with clients. It’s an evolving conversation.
Curt: That’s leadership. You mentioned attribution—have you thought about AI credits in films? Like listing which platforms or models were used in production?
Neville: I’d love to see that. Just like open-source projects list contributors, we could have transparent digital records of tools, models, and prompts. Maybe not in the end credits, but definitely online. That would empower education and accountability.
Curt: It’s about building a culture of credit and responsibility. Because let’s be honest, we might not get real regulation. What do you see as the responsibility of companies like yours?
Neville: We lead by example. We’re not trying to dictate global policy—we’re trying to make thoughtful, well-crafted work using new tools responsibly. We believe creators need to help shape how AI is used and credited. That’s our mission.
Curt: Totally agree. Philosophically, we’re entering a new age. Coexisting with superintelligence. It’s not science fiction—it’s happening now. Creatives, philosophers, and ethical leaders need to guide that path.
Neville: Yes. As we journey into this "new world," we have to decide how we engage. The metaverse, AI, and 3D digital worlds are converging. We’re already spending our lives in software. Creators need to be shaping those spaces.
Curt: And creatives must be the ones shaping those futures. So Neville, where can people learn more about you and WEVR?
Neville: Visit WEVR.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter). Thanks again for having me, Curt.
Curt: My pleasure. This has been an incredible conversation. To everyone listening, please subscribe to RealmIQ Sessions on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. And sign up for our Media Slam newsletter at curt doty dot co. Thanks again, Neville!
To listen to Neville’s interview, click Here. To listen to it on Spotify, click here. Stay tuned for more RealmIQ: Sessions, Season 3. Follow us here or on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Want to advertise in RealmIQ+ or our Podcast?
If your company is interested in reaching an audience of AI professionals and decision makers, you may want to advertise with us.
May 13, 5:30-7:30 pm | BOXCAR
AI and the Neuroscience of Leadership
How artificial intelligence impacts the algorithm of the human brain
How does the prevalence of artificial intelligence impact how we think about each other as humans? Lydia Knight, award winning coach, speaker, author, and founder of The She Center explores this question through the lens of practical neuroscience principles. Whether you want to better lead yourself or to better understand how AI is leading us all (whether we realize it or not), join us for a compelling discussion that will change the way you look at the human experience.
Lydia Knight is a paradigm-shifting author, speaker, and executive coach. Her memoir Split chronicles her deprogramming from indoctrination, while her upcoming book Thought Leader explores the personal and social impact of our thought patterns. As founder and CEO of The She Center, a top 2% woman-owned business globally, Lydia’s innovative work has been featured on CBS, NBC, and Fox News, among others. She has conducted leadership and communication trainings for the U.S. Army, Forbes 50 Over 50, Disney, Adobe, and National Geographic. A cult survivor doing exceptionally well, Knight's work empowers women to create their own path to freedom.
Doors open at 5:30PM. Event begins at 6PM. Light refreshments will be served.
Thanks to Kerry Young at Boxcar. Eric Renz-Whitmore for continuing to support these lecture series and to the City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development, Hutton Broadcasting, and Daniel Quat Photography for their support.
Get Involved
You can sponsor one of El Sailon Meetups! We are currently looking for generous partners. If you would like to contribute to our new community, we would be so grateful. Each of our sponsors is given shoutouts from the stage and in marketing. Learn More.
This is now a paid event of $10 per attendee. Proceeds from this event support El Sailon.
Thanks to Kerry Young at Boxcar. Eric Renz-Whitmore for continuing to support these lecture series and to the City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development, Hutton Broadcasting, and Daniel Quat Photography for their support. RSVP Here.