A Review of Computational Memorability: A Benchmark Framework

One of the powers of visual media lies in its ability to create a lasting impression on the viewer’s memory. In this digital age, where media is abundant and attention spans are fleeting, the task of predicting which content will stick in the viewer’s mind has become a critical challenge in computer vision. Computational memorability seeks to address this by developing models that estimate how memorable a piece of media is likely to be. In this review we focus on the MediaEval Predicting Video Memorability benchmark, a recurring evaluation task that has run annually since 2018. This benchmark provides a unique and consistent framework for researchers to compare and refine their memorability prediction techniques using standardised datasets and metrics. Its reproducible framework has proven invaluable for tracking progress and fostering innovation in this rapidly evolving domain. We analyse the evolution of the benchmark across its 2018–2023 editions, discussing the challenges that still remain, such as the need for more interpretability in models and the difficulty of predicting subjective and context-dependent memorability. By analysing and synthesising the collective insights gained from this task, we endeavour to inspire new avenues of inquiry and drive progress towards a more comprehensive understanding of this topic.