Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs

Netflix has made history by using artificial intelligence, or AI, to create special effects in one of its original TV series for the first time. The show, called The Eternaut, is a science fiction series from Argentina. In a key scene, a building collapses, and Netflix used a type of AI called generative AI to make this happen on screen. Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive of Netflix, explained that using AI allowed the production team to finish the scene much faster and at a much lower cost than if they had used traditional special effects. In fact, the team was able to complete the building collapse scene ten times faster than usual. This is especially helpful for shows that do not have huge budgets.

The use of AI in the entertainment industry is a hot topic. Many people are concerned that AI could take away jobs from artists, actors, and special effects experts. There are also worries that AI can create images and videos by copying other people's work without their permission. Last year, these concerns led to a major strike in Hollywood, where actors and writers demanded stricter rules about how AI can be used in movies and TV shows. Some people in the industry, like film producer Tyler Perry, have even stopped big projects because they are worried about how fast AI is changing things and what it could mean for jobs in the future.

Despite these concerns, others see AI as a useful tool. Davier Yoon, who co-founded an animation studio in Singapore, said that AI is just another digital tool that artists can use to bring their ideas to life. He believes that AI can help smaller studios create impressive visual effects that would normally require a much bigger budget. Yoon also pointed out that, in the end, it is still the artist who decides what the final image looks like, not the AI. Netflix has seen its profits rise, partly because of the success of popular shows like Squid Game. The company believes that using AI could help them make even more exciting shows in the future, while also saving time and money.