Sony Pictures plans to use AI in film production: CEO

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is planning on making movies “using AI primarily” to reduce costs, said its CEO Tony Vinciquerra at an investor conference in Japan this week.

The studio’s recent box office failures with Madame Web and Morbius underscore the drive to innovate and cut costs through AI.

Vinciquerra also mentioned that Crunchyroll, Sony’s anime streaming service, will be a significant growth driver for SPE, hinting at the potential for AI in anime production.

He is reportedly the first big studio executive to openly support artificial intelligence tech’s integration into film and television production.

His comments come at a time when the use of AI raised eyebrows during contract negotiations between major Hollywood unions and top studios. The SPE head acknowledged the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, noting that future agreements will dictate the extent of AI use in the industry.

Studio heads are addressing AI’s future in the industry
This week, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos responded to an interview question about the tech leading to layoffs and said, “AI is not going to take your job. The person who uses AI well might take your job.”

Last year, DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg predicted that AI would cut production costs in animated movies by as much as 90%, which includes slashing jobs for voice actors, concept artists and VFX workers.

At the same time, some industry professionals like Rebel Moon, Fallout and Black Adam cinematographer Kathryn Brillhart view AI as a tool to enhance production capabilities and streamline workflows.