AI: Yes, Hollywood, You Should Be Afraid
AI: Yes, Hollywood, You Should Be Afraid
Talent should fight it and studios should invest — but these two thoughts aren't contradictory
When it comes to tech hype, it’s easy to be a contrarian in the face of inflated expectations of instant realignment. I’m particularly proud of my take on NFTs when the world was saying they would change entertainment forever.
So while you might expect me to bring huge doses of skepticism to the topic of artificial intelligence, in this case…
…you’re dead wrong.
Frankly, AI — specifically, “generative” AI, or the ability of artificial intelligence to use vast amounts of data to generate new works of text, audio or visual output — has genuinely impressed me. Unlike some other trends, AI seems like a disruptive force for many industries, especially Hollywood.
That’s the reason it has been at the fore of labor negotiations with the unions. AI has the potential to disrupt everything. That could mean job losses despite the unions asking for protections around its deployment. Yet, despite the hype, even now, people could still be underestimating AI. I’m here today to tell you that, for once, I believe the hysteria around a technology is warranted.
In this article, I will explain:
Why AI is more than just hype and fear.
Why talent should fight this technology tooth and nail…
…but studios and streamers should invest (and no, this is not contradictory).
How AI could impact every part of the Hollywood production process, particularly during the new era of cost-cutting across the industry.
The timeline and sequence of how it could likely roll-out.
Why all of it worries (and excites) me enormously.
One quick caveat: I’m going to avoid any policy prescriptions or political recommendations. (See here for my take on how I would regulate AI.)