You may have used artificial intelligence (AI) for homework help, but now the AI tool is seeping into the entertainment industry as AI-generated films make their way into movie theatres. Last month, IMAX teamed up with Runway AI to bring ten AI films to life at various theatres across the country.
The expanding role of AI in media production, both in the industry at large and at Boise State, has raised concerns amongst local creatives, students and professors.
“The scary part [about AI for] a professor is that I don’t have any way — and this extends into the professional industry — of determining if they did their own work,” said Jim Warrick, a producer, screenwriter and film professor at Boise State University.
Warrick added that AI will inevitably result in the elimination of staff writers in the film industry, as scripts can now receive written feedback from AI. Warrick noted writers aren’t the only professionals at risk. AI can now replicate an actor’s facial features and performance, meaning actors are now facing a potential income loss. While certain safeguards have been put in place for some studio employees, these do not extend to writers and actors.
As far as non-fiction production goes, Professor Lee Emmert explained his curriculum is actively incorporating AI into the program in order to remain relevant to students. Emmert explained his department feels less threatened by AI, as the content they’re creating is mainly local, nonfiction stories.
“I’m actually optimistic about how AI is playing out in my area of focus,” Emmert said.
Emmert described how AI can assist in menial tasks, such as applying color grading across footage and removing background noise from audio tracks without replacing human expertise in those areas.
The increase of AI usage in production and within the classroom has proven discouraging to several Film & Television majors, such as Isaac Shelton.
“It’s going to devalue the skills of real people in the eyes of the bigger companies,” Shelton said.
Andrew Azcona, another Film & Television major, expressed concern about AI in the film industry as it’s already a challenging field to break into.
“It’s very scary for me because AI is essentially a cost-cutting tool and a cheap way to get stuff done without hiring more people,” she said.
As AI continues to advance and alter the entertainment industry, the video production community at Boise State finds itself traversing between protecting creative professionals and embracing technological innovation.
