As the Oscars approach, Hollywood is grappling with artificial intelligence’s expanding influence on film production. From viral AI-generated clips to digitally enhanced classics, the technology is reshaping how stories are told and raising questions about ethics, artistry and jobs.
A recent AI clip of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt duelling on a burnt-out highway went viral, sparking outrage over stolen likenesses. SAG-AFTRA condemned the video, calling it a “blatant infringement” that threatens human performers’ livelihoods.
AI is also being used to reimagine classic films. At Las Vegas’ Sphere, a 1939 screening of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ used AI outpainting to expand and enhance the film for a 360-degree LED dome. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Edward Saatchi is employing AI to reconstruct lost footage from Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons, prompting debate over whether altering a director’s original vision is appropriate.
Industry professionals worry about the impact on employment. Reports suggest tens of thousands of film and television jobs have been lost in Los Angeles alone in the past three years, and students and emerging creatives fear AI may replace entry-level roles.
Some filmmakers are exploring balanced approaches. At AI studio Asteria, Paul Trillo integrates AI to streamline tedious tasks while keeping artists at the creative centre. Analysts note that as AI lowers production costs, it could empower independent filmmakers and new micro-studios.
Despite uncertainty, experts believe the industry will adapt. The medium has weathered disruptive technologies before, from the introduction of sound to the rise of streaming.
While tools and workflows may evolve, the appetite for imaginative, compelling storytelling remains unchanged.
