Amazon to Use AI to Speed Up Film, TV Production Amid Job Fears
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| REUTERS |
Global tech giant Amazon is planning to use artificial intelligence to accelerate the production of movies and television shows, even as concerns grow in Hollywood over job losses and the long-term impact of automation.
At Amazon MGM Studios, a dedicated team led by veteran executive Albert Cheng is developing new AI-powered tools aimed at cutting costs and streamlining creative workflows.
Amazon has announced that it will launch a closed beta programme for its new AI tools in March, inviting selected industry partners to test the technology. The company expects to share initial results by May
Cheng described the new AI Studio as a “startup” operating under founder Jeff Bezos’s “two pizza team” philosophy, which focuses on small, agile teams.
The unit is primarily made up of engineers and scientists, supported by a smaller group of creative and business professionals.
Rising production costs have made it increasingly difficult for studios to finance large-scale projects. According to Cheng, AI can help solve this problem.
“The cost of creating is so high that it is hard to take great risks. We believe AI can accelerate, but not replace, human creativity,” he said.
Amazon believes that AI will help:
- Speed up editing and post-production
- Improve character consistency
- Reduce visual effects costs
- Enhance pre-production planning
- Integrate with industry-standard tools
The company is also using support from Amazon Web Services to power its AI infrastructure.
Reactions: Industry Concerns Over Jobs
While Amazon insists AI will enhance creativity, many in Hollywood remain worried.
Actor Emily Blunt and other A-list stars have previously expressed fears that AI-generated performers and scripts could reduce opportunities for human talent.
Amazon has said that writers, directors, actors, and designers will remain central to the creative process, with AI serving only as a support tool.
However, the company has also acknowledged that AI adoption is part of the reason behind its recent corporate layoffs, including job cuts at Prime Video.
Building the ‘Last Mile’ of Filmmaking
Cheng said the AI Studio is focused on solving what he calls the “last mile” of filmmaking — bridging the gap between consumer AI tools and professional production needs.
The tools aim to provide directors with fine-grained creative control while benefiting from automation.
Amazon is also working with multiple large language model providers to give creators more flexibility in pre- and post-production.
Protecting intellectual property and preventing AI-generated content from being reused without permission are key priorities, Cheng said.
Collaboration With Industry Creators
To test and refine its tools, Amazon is working with several industry professionals, including:
- Producer Robert Stromberg
- Actor Kunal Nayyar and his company Good Karma Productions
- Former Pixar and ILM animator Colin Brady
These partnerships are helping Amazon explore practical uses of AI in real-world filmmaking.
Early Use in ‘House of David’
Amazon has pointed to its hit series House of David as an early example of AI’s potential.
For its second season, director Jon Erwin used AI combined with live-action footage to create large-scale battle scenes at a lower cost. The technology allowed seamless blending of real and generated visuals.
This approach expanded production scope while keeping budgets under control.
Broader Significance for Hollywood
Industry experts say Amazon’s move reflects a wider shift in entertainment, where studios are increasingly turning to AI to remain competitive.
Key implications include:
- Faster production cycles
- Lower costs
- Greater content output
- Increased pressure on traditional roles
- Need for new skill sets
While AI may boost efficiency, unions and creative professionals are expected to push for stronger safeguards.
Amazon’s decision to integrate AI into film and television production marks a major turning point for Hollywood. By focusing on cost control and efficiency, the company aims to produce more content without compromising quality.
However, balancing technological innovation with creative integrity and job security remains a major challenge.
Our Final Thoughts
Amazon’s AI push highlights how deeply technology is reshaping the entertainment industry. While automation can unlock new possibilities and reduce financial risk, it also raises serious questions about the future of creative jobs.
If implemented responsibly, AI could become a powerful tool for storytellers. But without strong ethical and labour protections, it risks widening the gap between technology and human creativity. The next few years will determine whether AI becomes Hollywood’s greatest ally—or its biggest disruption.