How AI will Impact The Entertainment Industry

In a recent interview, Warner Brothers’ Executive Vice President of Production Elysa Dutton discussed how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape the film industry and what that might mean for the next generation of creators.

Dutton explained that new AI tools are already allowing anyone to create and develop content more easily. She mentioned platforms that let users upload ideas to generate shows automatically, making it possible for “everyone to be their own showrunner.” Other recent tools can animate still images or combine historical figures and fictional scenes, showing how far AI imagery has advanced.

She expects a “radical transformation” in how films are made, though Hollywood is working to protect human creativity by treating AI as a tool rather than a full replacement. Still, she acknowledged that as studios prioritize cutting costs, enforcing such limits will be difficult.

AI could also make production teams smaller. Dutton predicted that instead of crews of 40 or 50 people, a film might one day be made with only a handful of workers using AI assistance. This change could make filmmaking more accessible to individuals however might also reduce the number of traditional industry jobs.

When asked whether AI would democratize creativity or concentrate power, Dutton said it could do both. She compared it to podcasting: millions of people can make podcasts, but only a small fraction become profitable. Similarly, she expects that while many people will create AI-assisted films or shows, most profits will go to the large companies that own the platforms and data.

Dutton also noted that visual effects are likely to be the first major area transformed by AI, since new systems can produce work that once cost tens of thousands of dollars per shot. She raised ethical concerns about how AI models use existing creative works, saying that creators deserve compensation when their material is replicated, though enforcing this is “a legally very thorny issue.”

Looking ahead, she said that AI could make content creation more efficient, with major conglomerates like Apple, Amazon, and Warner Bros. leading production, while independent creators experiment with new tools. However, she still sees the enduring importance of storytelling. Even as technology changes how films are made, she believes there will always be a demand for original stories and imaginative worlds.

Final Thoughts:

While AI tools make filmmaking more accessible, they will reduce the large number of production jobs associated with a traditional set. Additionally, filmmakers will have to navigate complex legal issues regarding ownership. Regardless, as AI tools allow empower numerous individuals to participate in filmmaking, it will be exciting to see how people use these tools to creatively express themselves.