Hollywood’s Secret AI War: 30 Directors & Writers Taking Sides Revealed
How Hollywood’s storytellers are choosing sides on AI’s creative takeover.
It seems like every week we’re alerted to yet another Hollywood director, writer, or showrunner who has decided to weigh in on AI and its future in the movie and television business. There appears to be a quiet culture and business war going on around AI in entertainment, but it’s starting to get a bit confusing as to who is on which side. That’s why this edition of MARS Magazine is solely dedicated to drawing the battle lines clearly.
Generally, I think it’s a given that studios, which are bottom-line focused, aren’t debating about AI; they’re just wondering when it will be good enough to make Avengers: Infinity War, and how much that might cost. But they still need the creative minds of the human creators behind much of the filmed entertainment that drives popular culture. How the creative cohort does or does not embrace AI will likely color the future of the technology, regardless of how much money it may eventually save Hollywood’s major studios.
Subtly raising the temperature last week was Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, who launched his new Apple TV show Pluribus by adding a note in the end credits that is being received by many as a slap against AI.
Remember, actors are preparing for the SAG-AFTRA contract showdown over AI in eight months. Producers and directors are calculating upcoming film and TV budgets that may face economic recession headwinds, which may compel them to look to AI for cost-cutting help. And audiences, the ones who pay to keep the business alive, are subconsciously readying their eyes and minds for the inevitable doses of uncanny valley AI-powered feature films on the way.
With those disparate yet connected fates in mind, the following charts can help us map out who among the creative class is fighting for and against Hollywood’s AI future.
A final note: These charts are not set in stone. In fact, don’t be surprised if someone on one of the charts suddenly makes a contradictory statement claiming they’re now on the opposite side of the AI discussion. That’s to be expected. AI is changing so rapidly that it’s only natural that many of us will change our minds about the technology at least every few months.
Nevertheless, if you see some of your favorite creators on this chart, read their words and take heed. They are giving you the best clues you can possibly get about what’s next as this historic industry shift unfolds in real time.