Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently shared his thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the entertainment industry.
In an interview with The New York Times, Sarandos said he doesn’t believe AI will replace writers, actors, or directors. However, he added that those who learn to use AI effectively might take those jobs in the future.
TLDR
- Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos believes AI won’t replace writers, actors, or directors, but those who use AI effectively might take their jobs.
- Sarandos is optimistic about AI’s potential in the creative industry, seeing it as a tool to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- He compares the impact of AI to past technological advancements in the entertainment industry, such as the transition from hand-drawn to computer-generated animation.
- The rise of AI has concerned many in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, with writers and actors going on strike over issues related to AI’s potential impact on their livelihoods.
- Despite Netflix’s use of data and analytics in content creation, Sarandos maintains that AI won’t replace human creativity.
Sarandos is optimistic about AI’s potential in the creative industry. He sees it as a tool that can help content creators do their jobs better and more efficiently.
He compared the impact of AI to other technological advancements in the past, like the switch from hand-drawn to computer-generated animation.
Despite initial resistance, these changes ultimately led to growth in the industry and more jobs.
The rise of AI has caused concern among many in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Last year, both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the actors union SAG-AFTRA went on strike.
They were worried about issues like pay and the threat of AI replacing writers and actors in productions. The strikes lasted for several months, with the WGA strike going on for nearly 150 days and the SAG-AFTRA strike lasting 118 days.
Despite these concerns, Sarandos believes that AI won’t be able to create better stories or performances than talented humans.
He said,
“I don’t believe that an AI program is going to write a better screenplay than a great writer, or is going to replace a great performance, or that we won’t be able to tell the difference.”
Sarandos’ comments might surprise some people, considering that Netflix is known for using data and analytics to help make decisions about the content they create.
In fact, last year, the company was looking to hire a product manager for an AI-focused role. The job description said that AI would be used in many parts of Netflix’s business, including helping to buy and create great content.
As AI continues to advance, it’s clear that it will have an impact on the entertainment industry. While some fear that it could replace human creativity, others, like Sarandos, see it as a tool that can enhance and support the work of content creators.
Only time will tell how AI will shape the future of Hollywood and the entertainment world.
