AI in Hollywood: Creative Revolution or Power Shift?
AI Is Changing How Hollywood Tells Stories
Hollywood is undergoing a major transformation as AI tools become a key part of the creative process. Netflix’s use of Runway’s AI video generation technology is more than a production upgrade — it reflects a deep shift in how movies and shows are made.
Under CEO Ted Sarandos, Netflix is using AI to speed up and lower the cost of visual effects. Work that once took weeks can now be done in days. But this is not just about saving time and money. The growing use of AI is changing who creates content, how stories are told, and who holds power in the industry.
Where Does the Artist End and AI Begin?
Hollywood has always adapted to new technology — from sound to CGI. But AI is different. It can create images, animate scenes, and even suggest edits without human input. This blurs the line between human creativity and machine-generated content.
For visual effects artists, this could mean fewer entry-level jobs and less opportunity to build a career. With AI taking over more of the creative process, fewer people may control the final product. That could limit the variety of voices behind today’s stories.
AI Could Also Open Doors for Smaller Creators
At the same time, AI tools like Runway could help smaller creators produce high-quality content without big studio budgets. Independent artists and small teams now have access to technology that was once limited to large productions.
This shift could help make Hollywood more inclusive, breaking down long-standing barriers. But it’s unclear whether the industry will support this change or use AI to tighten control and prioritize content optimized for algorithms instead of creativity.
Streaming Giants and the Battle for Control
For companies like Netflix, AI is a strategic tool in a competitive market. It allows for faster content creation, lower costs, and the ability to test what audiences like — all key advantages in the streaming wars.
Meta’s reported interest in acquiring Runway shows that the fight over AI in entertainment is heating up. Whoever controls these tools may also shape the future of content.
But there’s a risk: relying too much on AI could lead to formulaic content, where algorithms decide what gets made. This might push out bold, original ideas in favor of what performs best in metrics like watch time.
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Impact on Workers and New Roles in Film
As AI takes over some tasks, new roles are emerging — like AI supervisors, creative technologists, and machine learning editors. But these jobs often require new skills and training. Mid-level artists without the means to adapt may be left behind.
Hollywood already struggles with unstable freelance work and inequality. AI could make these problems worse unless there’s a clear plan to support workers through the transition.
Ethical and Legal Questions About AI in Media
Beyond jobs, AI raises tough questions about copyright and creativity. When machines remix existing works to create new ones, who owns the result? Many artists are not credited or paid when their work is used to train AI systems.
Audiences may also begin to question the authenticity of AI-generated content. Can a performance feel truly human if a machine created part of it?
A Path Forward: Human and AI Collaboration
The future doesn’t have to be one where AI replaces humans. Instead, the best path is collaboration. Creators should be part of the development and use of AI tools. Labor unions must push for fair pay, retraining programs, and creative rights.
Transparency will also be important. Viewers should know how much of a show or film was created with AI. This clarity can build trust and even deepen appreciation for how these tools are used in storytelling.
Hollywood Must Decide Who Controls the Future
Netflix’s embrace of AI marks a major turning point. AI can either empower a new generation of storytellers or concentrate power even further. The choice lies in how the technology is used.
This moment is about more than tools — it’s about who shapes culture, whose voices are heard, and whether creativity remains at the heart of entertainment. If Hollywood lets AI take over without keeping people at the center, it risks losing the human touch that makes storytelling so powerful.