Movies

Can these short films convince people that AI is a force for good?

BBG News

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve noticed for years how filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, James Cameron, and Alex Garland have portrayed AI as a sinister force capable of transforming into a lethal weapon on the big screen. In Mountain View…

Even though Steven Spielberg’s film “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” generally conveyed an optimistic outlook, it carried a subtle undertone of pessimism regarding its portrayal of the future.

Google, a prominent innovator in artificial intelligence, aims to shift discussions about culture beyond the portrayal of AI in movies like “The Terminator,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and “Ex Machina.

In response to this, the tech company based in Mountain View, California (famously known as Google) is financing short movies depicting artificial intelligence in a more optimistic, non-dystopian manner.

Under the title “AI on Screen,” Google has joined forces with Range Media Partners, a renowned talent management and film production company based in Santa Monica. This partnership involves Range handling the production of the movies, representing a diverse array of entertainment personalities such as actors and writers.

To date, two short movies have received approval under this initiative: Firstly, “Sweetwater,” a story about a man revisiting his old home only to find a hologram of his deceased famous mother, which will be helmed by Michael Keaton and features him in the cast. This project marks the first collaboration between Michael Keaton and his son, Sean Douglas, who wrote the screenplay.

Another title, “Lucid,” explores a pair yearning to break free from their constricting existence and gamble with a contraption capable of merging their dreams together.

Douglas shared with The Times that they were searching for narratives that didn’t revolve around apocalyptic AI scenarios, which he was comfortable with since he believes we’ve had enough of such tales. Instead, he appreciated the more balanced – not overly optimistic but rather moderately positive – stories.

At a point when numerous Americans harbor mixed sentiments towards AI, an initiative is underway to address this issue. A survey conducted by Bentley University and Gallup in 2024 revealed that 56% of the population view AI as having “an equal balance of harm and benefit,” while 31% believe it does more harm than good. The goal of some tech experts and AI advocates is to change how AI is portrayed in mainstream media, with the hope that this could influence people’s opinions about it.

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On Wednesday, OpenAI showcased various video creations from different filmmakers, all of whom worked with their text-to-video tool named Sora at a special event.

Google faces the challenge of persuading consumers that artificial intelligence (AI) can serve beneficial purposes, rather than being harmful. This sector is becoming more congested as both new ventures and established entities like OpenAI, Anthropic, Apple, and Meta’s parent company are entering the competitive landscape.

Mira Lane, Google’s Vice President of Technology and Society, stated that the short films funded by Google, ranging from 15 to 20 minutes, are not advertisements for artificial intelligence. Instead, they aim to delve into themes that blend human emotions and technological advancements. Contrary to common belief, these movies do not promote Google’s products, and they are not produced using AI technology.

In Lane’s words, “Stories involving technology in films tend to have a dark, dystopian slant.” Lane continued, “When discussing AI, there’s a wealth of complexity to explore, which is the focus of this program. How can we craft more profound human tales? What does living harmoniously with AI entail? What challenges might we face as we move forward?

Google didn’t reveal the exact amount they are putting into their movie projects. However, they’ve stated their intention to support numerous films without specifying a specific number. It’s possible that some of these short films might develop into full-length productions, according to Google.

Employees working with Google have the opportunity to consult with the tech specialists within the company, who can provide additional details about the existing technology, such as its functionality and practical applications in real-world scenarios.

Rachel Douglas, from Range, noted that as we interact with tech and AI, we wonder about its influence on us and how to create emotional ties through such technology. She is married to Sean Douglas.)

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In a collaboration spearheaded by director Darren Aronofsky, his production company, Primordial Soup, is set to employ Google’s advanced AI technologies for generating content in several short films directed by three different filmmakers.

In recent times, artificial intelligence has sparked significant debate within Hollywood, significantly influencing the 2023 screenwriters’ and actors’ strikes.

Actors are concerned about unauthorized use of their facial features and vocal performances, as well as manipulation thereof. Writers express anxiety over their writings being utilized without consent for the development of AI-generated scripts and plotlines. The potential loss of jobs in animation, visual effects, and related fields is a real concern. Publishers and music labels have taken legal action to safeguard their creative properties.

Public skepticism towards AI might create difficulties for technology companies in courts where non-experts serve as jurors. This is one factor driving companies to enhance AI’s image and public trust.

Sean Pak, an intellectual property lawyer at Quinn Emanuel, expressed on a panel that there’s widespread doubt among the general public about AI and its future implications. He suggested that as an industry, we need to improve our communication, making sure to highlight the advantages for the public and clearly explaining what we are doing and what we aren’t doing in terms of AI development.

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Recently, Curtis publicly criticized Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, as they failed to respond to her repeated attempts to remove a misleading AI-created advertisement that had been active on Instagram for several months.

AI firms such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta have showcased or made available their technology to film and television production companies and directors. Specifically, Meta has collaborated with horror production company Blumhouse and James Cameron’s venture Lightstorm Entertainment on projects related to artificial intelligence.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Google is teaming up with Darren Aronofsky’s company Primordial Soup (formerly known as “The Whale” director), where they will collaborate with three filmmakers on short films and provide them with the opportunity to utilize Google’s AI video generator called Veo.

Supporters argue that this technology could reduce costs associated with filmmaking, providing creators with greater freedom, which is particularly relevant given the current challenges faced by the movie industry.

If we want to keep enjoying the types of films I’ve always cherished, and the ones I enjoy creating and watching, we need to find a way to reduce the cost by half, according to Cameron in his recent podcast with Meta’s top tech officer. Notably, Cameron is part of Stability AI’s board.

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At the dimly lit Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, a multitude of enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the performance of iconic rocker Roy Orbison.

AI firms are devising innovative methods to make technology less intimidating. For instance, a leading AI company, Anthropic, is backing an upcoming event at the Exploratorium, a museum blending science and art in San Francisco. Eric Dimond, the senior director of exhibits, aspires that this exhibit, titled “Adventures in AI,” will encourage people to delve into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence.

According to Dimond, Anthropic wasn’t part of the initial planning for the exhibit. However, guests have the opportunity to engage with the AI model Claude, as well as AI tools from OpenAI and ElevenLabs.

While tech companies like Google strive to present technology in a more humanized manner, cinema enthusiasts continue to encounter numerous tales depicting the perils of out-of-control robots.

More recent stories depicting AI malfunctions involve movies such as Blumhouse’s 2023 horror production “M3GAN,” where a robot grows overly protective of a child, leading to chaos. The previous year saw the release of another Blumhouse horror movie, “Afraid,” which centered around a family being tormented by an AI-controlled household helper.

This coming summer, it’s been announced that there will be a follow-up to “M3GAN” from Universal Pictures, set to premiere in cinemas. With high anticipation, it’s predicted to be a blockbuster success.

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2025-05-22 13:33

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