Affleck Discusses AI's Filmmaking Pros and Cons

Ben Affleck recently shared his insights on AI's impact on filmmaking, highlighting its potential to streamline production by reducing costs and simplifying technical processes, thus lowering entry barriers for aspiring creators. Speaking at CNBC's Delivering Alpha 2024 summit, he argued that while AI could handle laborious tasks, it lacks the creative judgment required to replace human filmmakers, as it cannot replicate the 'taste' and human interaction essential to art. Affleck described AI as a 'craftsman at best,' capable of imitation but not innovation, emphasizing that movies will be among the last creative fields affected by AI. Despite concerns over AI's potential to disrupt visual effects jobs, he remains optimistic about its role in democratizing film production. His comments have sparked widespread discussion, with social media users praising his articulate and balanced perspective. Affleck also envisaged a future where viewers might customize their own TV episodes using AI, illustrating this with a hypothetical AI-generated ending for the series Succession.