How Netflix Is Using AI to Speed Up and Improve TV Shows
1.5KNetflix is diving into artificial intelligence to help create its shows. For the first time, the streaming giant has used generative AI in one of its original scripted series, showing how AI might change the way TV is made. The company says this technology can make production faster, cheaper, and even boost the quality of their series and movies.
Netflix’s First AI-Enhanced Show
The show in question is “El Eternauta,” an Argentine science fiction series. It tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world with a deadly snowfall that kills millions. Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos shared that AI was used to create a scene where a building collapses in Buenos Aires. The AI helped the creators produce the special effects much more quickly—about ten times faster than traditional methods. Usually, creating such effects takes a lot of time and money, but AI made it possible to get the job done faster and more efficiently.
The show premiered in late April and was an instant hit. It’s already been renewed for a second season. The visual effects in “El Eternauta” got a lot of praise, especially since it involved around 2,000 visual effects shots. With so much footage to process, using AI to speed up production makes a lot of sense, especially for a show on a tight schedule and budget.
The Role of AI in Film and TV Production
While Netflix is excited about AI’s potential, it’s still a bit of a mystery which software tools were used in “El Eternauta.” Sarandos mentioned that AI is already helping with pre-visualization, shot planning, and visual effects. This isn’t the first time Netflix has shown interest in AI. Its other co-CEO, Greg Peters, said last year that AI could be a key tool for storytelling. However, the industry’s relationship with AI isn’t without controversy.
Many actors and video game performers have gone on strike to demand protections against AI. They worry that their jobs could be replaced or that AI could be used to manipulate their performances without proper credit or compensation. There are also artistic concerns, as some AI-generated images or effects can look poor or undermine the authenticity of the work. Recent scandals involving AI in films, like “The Brutalist” and “Alien: Romulus,” show how tricky this technology can be when misused.
Netflix has experimented with AI in other ways too. Last year, the company discussed how AI could help with storytelling, and it was criticized for using AI to manipulate images in a true crime documentary. This year, Netflix faced backlash for using AI to reconstruct a murder victim’s voice in another true crime show. Meanwhile, other streaming services are pushing AI further. Amazon has tested AI-generated show summaries and character recommendations, and even released AI-dubbed versions of some TV shows.
What’s Next for AI in Streaming?
Recently, Bloomberg reported that Netflix is using AI from a startup called Runway to help produce content. However, this AI isn’t being used for the visual effects in “El Eternauta.” Instead, it’s more about streamlining production and creating new types of content. This shows Netflix is really going all-in on AI, seeing it as a way to innovate and stay ahead in the competitive streaming world.
As AI continues to develop, it’s clear that it will play a bigger role in how movies and TV shows are made. But the industry also faces important questions about ethics, quality, and jobs. Will AI be a helpful tool or a replacement for human creativity? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: AI is rapidly transforming the entertainment landscape.
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