 increasingly influences the film industry, industry insiders express varied opinions. While some see it as a threat, others see it as a tool to enhance creativity. What does this mean for the future of cinema?){kind=link}
In recent years, the film industry has begun witnessing a seismic shift brought about by technological advancements, particularly with the advent of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC). The phenomenon is stirring much debate and causing a sense of unease among industry veterans and artists. One of those expressing concern is the director of “The Wandering Earth,” China’s all-time highest-grossing sci-fi epic, Guo.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in Shanghai, Guo humorously suggested that he should now extend respect towards AI, given its growing prowess. AI has evolved to take over intricate tasks such as artificially aging actors, making them appear younger on screen, and modifying their voices. Recognizing the increasing influence of AIGC in many sectors, Guo anticipates that the quality of AI-generated videos will soon reach the high standards of traditional filmmaking.
Moreover, Guo commended the AI tool Midjourney, which has been instrumental in producing conceptual graphs for sci-fi movies. According to him, Midjourney can produce a vast number of pictures overnight – a task that would take an experienced designer an entire week. Surprisingly, these AI-generated pictures often exceed the quality and aesthetics of those designed by humans, proving to be a game-changer for directors.
Despite the rising prominence of AI, Zhang Yaqin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR), Tsinghua University, encourages a more relaxed perspective on the matter. Speaking at the same forum, he iterated that AIGC should be seen as a tool rather than a threat. He emphasized that the heart of creativity lies with writers, directors, and actors – a realm that AIGC can’t fully occupy.
Evidently, Guo is keen on the development and ethical aspects of AI. In a previous speech, he advocated for the establishment of a dedicated department responsible for setting the boundaries and regulations of AI. He revealed that his team is actively learning about AI applications, hoping to incorporate these technologies into their creative processes.
Meanwhile, the rise of AIGC has ignited conversations about the potential fusion of this technology with traditional film-making. Deputy head of China Film Directors’ Club, Yin Li, suggested at a forum in Jiangsu that emerging technologies like the metaverse, blockchain, and AI could provide an unimaginable canvas for filmmakers. However, he also underlined that despite the technological boost, the essence of film-making remains in capturing and expressing the feelings of ordinary people. This, he believes, is the unshakeable responsibility of filmmakers, even in the face of rapid technological advancements.
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