Key Points
- Hollywood has adopted generative AI for post‑production tasks and broader content creation.
- Major studios sued AI firms over alleged copyright infringement in training data.
- Disney signed a three‑year, billion‑dollar licensing deal with OpenAI for AI‑generated franchise content.
- Netflix highlighted cost savings as a key reason for using AI in visual effects.
- Amazon’s AI‑dubbed anime received criticism for poor language quality and was withdrawn.
- Smaller startups aim to create ethically engineered AI video models, but results are still limited.
- Critics describe many AI‑generated videos as low‑quality and overly sloppy.
- Future plans include dedicated AI content sections on streaming platforms and increased internal AI tool usage.
AI Integration in Hollywood
For years, Hollywood has used various generative AI products to streamline post‑production tasks such as de‑aging performers and removing green‑screen backgrounds. In recent months, the industry has taken a broader step by embracing large‑scale generative AI capable of creating entire video sequences from text prompts. Studios tout the technology as a labor‑saving tool that could reduce the time and expense of traditional production workflows.
Legal Battles and Partnerships
Early in this shift, several major studios—including Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery—filed lawsuits against AI firms, alleging that the models were trained on copyrighted material without permission. Rather than solely litigating, many of these companies also pursued collaborations. Disney, for example, signed a three‑year, billion‑dollar licensing agreement with OpenAI that allows the use of AI‑generated videos featuring characters from its major franchises.
Studio Experiments and Outcomes
Netflix publicly announced its commitment to generative AI after using it to produce visual effects for an original series, emphasizing cost savings as a primary motivation. Amazon experimented with AI‑generated dubs for Japanese anime, but the results were widely criticized for poor language quality and lack of human nuance, leading the company to withdraw the feature. Smaller startups, such as a venture founded by actress Natasha Lyonne, have also entered the space, aiming to develop “ethically” engineered video models, though tangible results remain limited.
Criticism and Industry Response
Industry observers note that many AI‑driven projects have failed to meet audience expectations, describing the output as “sloppy” or “clunky.” The technology’s inability to consistently produce high‑quality visuals has raised concerns that studios may prioritize short‑term cost reductions over artistic standards. Despite these challenges, major players continue to explore AI tools, signaling a belief that the technology will eventually mature.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Disney plans to allocate a dedicated section of its streaming platform for user‑generated AI content, encouraging internal staff to adopt ChatGPT‑style products. The broader industry appears poised to follow suit, suggesting that AI’s role in Hollywood will only expand, even as critics question the current value of these experiments.
Source: theverge.com