Three Criteria to Consider When Adding Generative AI to Your Production Workflow

The rise of generative AI is transforming the film and television industry, promising to revolutionize everything from scriptwriting to animation. But before jumping on board the hype train, Media and Entertainment (M&E) companies need a clear vision of integrating generative AI into their workflows. Here are three critical criteria to help you decide if it's cut out for your production:

1. Accuracy & Transparency: Avoiding the AI Mirage.

Generative AI thrives on data, weaving narratives and visuals from its vast knowledge base. However, this can be a double-edged sword. Like a mirage, AI can sometimes generate convincing but factually inaccurate outputs. Imagine a news report relying on AI-generated footage or a documentary with fabricated historical figures. Trust is paramount in film and television, so M&E companies must prioritize solutions offering:

• Transparency: Choose tools that provide clear information about the data sources used for generation. This allows for verification and ensures the outputs align with your brand's ethical and factual standards.
• Control Mechanisms: Opt for solutions that allow you to guide the AI's output. This could involve providing specific keywords, stylistic preferences, or factual constraints to ensure the generated content adheres to your vision and avoids hallucinations.
• Human-in-the-Loop: Remember, AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. Integrate generative AI into your workflow with a human oversight layer, ensuring factual accuracy and preventing the spread of misinformation.

2. Time & Cost Efficiency: Cutting Corners, Not Quality.

Film and television production is notoriously time-consuming and expensive. Generative AI promises to reduce that by automating repetitive tasks and generating assets at scale. However, consider these points before adopting a specific tool:

• Specific Needs Assessment: Identify the tasks within your workflow that are most time-consuming and repetitive. Consider if AI automation can truly streamline these areas without compromising quality.
• Return on Investment (ROI) Calculation: Don't be swayed by hype alone. Quantify the expected time and cost savings that AI can bring. Compare this with the investment cost and ongoing maintenance needs to ensure a clear ROI.
• Scalability & Flexibility: Choose solutions that can adapt to your specific project needs and scale up or down as required. Consider whether the AI can handle diverse project types and styles without significant adjustments.

3. Human Empowerment: Boosting Creativity, Not Replacing It.

Generative AI shouldn't replace the human touch in storytelling. Instead, it should empower your teams to be more creative and productive. Look for solutions that:

• Enhance, not Replace: Choose tools that complement your team's skills by generating drafts, scripts, or visuals that can be further refined and personalized.
• Spark New Ideas: Consider AI-powered brainstorming tools that can help teams explore diverse possibilities and overcome creative roadblocks.
• Reduce Administrative Burdens: Opt for solutions that automate tedious tasks like script formatting, asset organization, or research, freeing your team's time for higher-level creative pursuits.

Remember, generative AI is a powerful tool but not a magic bullet. By carefully considering these three criteria, film and television production companies can make informed decisions about integrating AI into their workflows, achieving greater efficiency, accuracy, and creativity.

Additional Considerations:

• Ethical Implications: Be mindful of the potential ethical implications of using AI in storytelling. Consider issues like bias, representation, and the potential for manipulation.
• Data Security & Privacy: Ensure the chosen AI solution adheres to data security and privacy regulations, especially when dealing with sensitive information.
• Continuous Learning & Adaptation: The field of generative AI is constantly evolving. Choose solutions with ongoing development and support to ensure you remain at the forefront of technological advancements.

By taking a thoughtful and strategic approach, M&E companies can harness the power of generative AI to create cutting-edge film and television experiences while staying true to their stories and values. SpherexAI™ was built from the ground up with this objective in mind. We invite you to see how it can make preparing video content for global markets easier than ever at NAB 2024 in Las Vegas on April 13-17 at booth W2217. Click here and use code NS7763 to register and get into the exhibit halls for free care of Spherex.

Will generative AI become indispensable in your content creation workflows? With careful consideration, it could be a welcome addition to ensuring your next project is ready for prime time worldwide.