Pros and Cons of AI in film

Movie projector on a dark background with a light beam. [iStockphoto]

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay and it is making movies!! With machine learning algorithms and natural language learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can learn from its experiences and become more intelligent over time. It has become very efficient in most fields today including music, fashion and now the film industry. Artificial Intelligence has indeed exerted influence on both positive and negative levels.

Great Story Ideas: Filmmakers leverage AI's evolving capabilities to create compelling narratives. Movies like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "The Terminator," "Star Wars," and "Her" explore the concept of human-like machines with emotions and independent thinking.

Enhanced Visuals: AI contributes to visually stunning films, as seen in "The Lord of the Rings trilogy" and "The Matrix series." Utilizing deep fake technologies and de-ageing methods, filmmakers can produce lifelike visuals and intricate worlds beyond traditional film production.

Faster Production Times: AI-powered tools streamline filmmaking processes, enhancing efficiency and enabling quicker, high-quality movie production. AI facilitates various aspects, from screenwriting to music creation, allowing studios to focus on creativity and undertake more projects.

Enhanced Interactivity: AI engages audiences through chatbots and virtual characters, responding to user interactions and tailoring movie recommendations based on preferences. This dynamic interactivity enhances the overall movie-watching experience.

Music Composition: AI algorithms compose original music for films, considering mood, genre, and context. This innovation relieves filmmakers from relying solely on human resources to create fitting soundtracks for different scenes.

Screenwriting and Script Assistance: AI assists screenwriters by suggesting plot twists, character development, and dialogue, reducing tedious tasks. Some AI systems can even generate entire scripts, identifying patterns that align with audience preferences.

Film Editing and Post-Production: AI-powered video editing software automates tasks like color grading, scene transitions, visual effects, and sound synchronization, allowing editors to focus on creative aspects. It efficiently suggests the best takes in a movie.

Negative Impacts:

Fueling Unemployment: AI's efficiency in various filmmaking tasks has led to job displacement for roles such as post-production technicians, editors, actors, and visual effects artists.

Lack of Human Touch: Despite AI's efficiency, it lacks the human touch necessary for creative tasks like giving life to characters and writing emotionally resonant scripts.

Ethical Dilemmas: Deep fake technologies pose ethical concerns, potentially violating privacy and spreading misinformation. Biases in algorithms could influence casting decisions and misrepresent characters.

Lack of Creativity: AI lacks emotions and intuition, limiting its creative ability. Overreliance on AI may stifle innovation and originality in filmmaking.

Legal and Copyright Issues: Ownership and copyright concerns arise regarding AI-composed music and scripts, posing challenges for the film industry.

Overreliance on Trends: Filmmakers may prioritize AI-driven trends over artistic decisions, risking a lack of balance between creativity and data-driven decisions.

In conclusion, as AI continues to advance, a balanced understanding of its role in the film industry is crucial. Movies like "Ex Machina," "WALL-E," "A.I. (Artificial Intelligence)," and "Westworld" serve as examples of AI-oriented storytelling.