The Ankler.

The Ankler.

Share this post

The Ankler.
The Ankler.
AI: Yes, Hollywood, You Should Be Afraid
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Entertainment Strategy Guy

AI: Yes, Hollywood, You Should Be Afraid

Talent should fight it and studios should invest — but these two thoughts aren't contradictory

Entertainment Strategy Guy's avatar
Entertainment Strategy Guy
Jul 06, 2023
∙ Paid
37

Share this post

The Ankler.
The Ankler.
AI: Yes, Hollywood, You Should Be Afraid
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
3
1
Share
CAUTIONARY TALE In Black Mirror Season Six episode “Joan is Awful”, Annie Murphy (left) plays tech exec Joan, whose life becomes the basis of a streaming show starring an AI-generated likeness of Salma Hayek. (Courtesy of Netflix)

Share

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.)

Share

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Ankler Media
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More