The year 2025 is proving to be a pivotal moment for the film industry, with generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools rapidly transforming traditional production methods. These advanced AI systems can now create video sequences, complete with special effects, original music, and dialogue in real-time, ushering in a new era of cinematic creation.
Netflix has been at the forefront of this technological wave. The streaming giant utilized generative AI in its science-fiction series 'El Eternauta,' enabling the production of a complex scene depicting a building collapsing in Buenos Aires ten times faster and at a significantly lower cost than conventional visual effects (VFX) techniques. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted this as a prime example of AI's potential to enhance both efficiency and creative possibilities, noting that the VFX sequence would have been unfeasible within the show's original budget.
Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky has also embraced this technological shift by launching 'Primordial Soup,' a studio dedicated to integrating AI into filmmaking. Their inaugural project, 'ANCESTRA,' a short film that artfully blends live performance with AI-generated visuals, premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 13, 2025. This collaboration with Google DeepMind aims to explore AI's role in storytelling and empower artists to guide technological advancements.
However, the rapid integration of AI into cinema is accompanied by significant challenges, particularly concerning copyright and intellectual property. Universal Pictures has initiated legal action to protect its copyrights against unauthorized AI use, embedding warnings in the end credits of films like 'How to Train Your Dragon' and 'Jurassic World Rebirth' stating that the content may not be used to train AI systems. This action is part of a broader industry effort, including a lawsuit filed by Universal and Disney against AI image generator Midjourney, alleging widespread copyright infringement and labeling the platform a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.” Midjourney has defended its practices by citing “fair use” and arguing that copyright law does not grant absolute control over creative works.
Beyond production, AI is impacting other facets of filmmaking, with AI music generators offering cost-effective solutions for soundtracks and AI dialogue writers assisting screenwriters. The potential for AI to automate tasks such as rotoscoping, color grading, and generating 3D assets is streamlining the VFX pipeline, allowing artists to focus on more creative aspects. Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding job displacement, with studies estimating significant impacts on entertainment jobs in the coming years, particularly for entry-level positions.