7 OCTOBER | LONDON 2024
SEPTEMBER 12TH - 14TH
The O2, LONDON
Cinema & AI
Your weekly CogX newsletter on AI and content creation
Netflix’s new AI invention
Netflix’s new AI powered Magenta Green Screen (MGS) technology will produce faster and more accurate virtual film scenes.
It could save hundreds of editing hours and allow directors to see virtual shots in real time. Where else could MGS be deployed?
Meanwhile, alarming new survey data shows 36% of entertainment workers fear the impact of AI on their job in the next 2-3 years, putting recent strikes into context.
Nearly half of those surveyed also believe that generative AI will hurt creative output. Will AI enhance creativity or replace it? What do you think?
Read more about this and more in the CogX Must Reads - including a Sky News AI reporter experiment, Comcast’s AI accelerator and timelines to AI generated blockbusters.
CogX Must Reads of the week
Netflix invents improved AI green screen
Green screen technology has long been used to create virtual scenes but it’s not always perfect. When greater accuracy is needed, specialists spend hours editing footage.
Researchers at Netflix have developed an AI powered technology, Magenta Green Screen (MGS), which uses magenta light to create a faster and more accurate filming method.
New survey shows extent of AI fears
Over a third of entertainment workers such as Directors, Actors and Production Assistants are concerned about the impact of generative AI on their own jobs in the next 2-3 years.
69% are also concerned that AI will be used to create misleading voice clones, while 80% thought AI will infringe intellectual property. The industry is worried about AI risks
Industry
Comcast announces AI startup pilots
Comcast’s LIFT Labs Accelerator programme saw eight promising generative AI startups participate in a six week programme to scope projects where generative AI could be used.
All eight AI startups have secured pilots or proofs of concepts with either Comcast, NBC or Sky. Leading studios are eager to partner with generative AI startups.
Entertainment leaders call for regulation
Creative leaders are pushing for regulation given fears of job losses from AI.
Ashley Irwin, president of the Society for Composers and Lyricists (SCL) called generative AI an “existential threat to the livelihood and continuance of our creative professions” in a hearing at the House Judiciary Subcommittee. He joined growing numbers calling for regulation of AI in creative industries.
Media
Sky News experiments with an AI reporter
Sky News tested whether a journalist could be replaced by generative AI in a news experiment.
They used AI to pitch story ideas, develop video footage, and create a virtual avatar to present the news. The result was largely impressive, but crucially contained factual inaccuracies, which for a news organisation is catastrophic. More work is needed.
AI Star Wars article creates chaos
Gizmodo want to embrace AI and have begun publishing AI generated articles on their website.
However, one of the first AI articles on Star Wars was riddled with errors. James Whitbrook, deputy editor, catalogued 18 “concerns, corrections and comments” and the article prompted an outcry amongst staffers.
Thought Leadership
When will AI generate a Hollywood Blockbuster?
Waymark, a Detroit based video company, made a 12 minute film created entirely using DALL-E 2 images. However, it took a team of seven contractors, three and a half months to produce.
Despite this, experts argue the rate of progress means AI films are feasible. Nathan Lands, founder of Lore, estimates we could have text-to-movie generation in three to five years.
Will AI generated music make human music more valuable?
Generative AI is disrupting music production from lyrics to creating beats and music videos.
But Shannon Burton argues that AI’s influence will actually make human-made music more valuable. It relies on emotional connection, authenticity, cultural relevance and artistic expressions - all areas that AI will find it more difficult to replicate.
Top Stories
In case you missed it
Check out Critterz, a short film made using AI image generation
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this week’s Issue and what you’d like to see more of.