“What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?”
Picture this scenario: every studio will soon possess AI technology. They may offer you the chance to pay an additional fee with your HBO Max subscription to access a creator sandbox. Within this sandbox, you can create your own movies using Warner Brothers assets such as Shazam, Batman, Neo from ‘The Matrix,’ and other characters. You can send them on a treasure hunt on Mars with the feel of a Steven Spielberg movie, and AI will produce a movie that looks incredibly lifelike. This technological advancement is on the horizon.
Actor Zachary Levi is developing his own studio to stay ahead of the curve. He likened his endeavor to Noah building an ark in preparation for a flood.
When questioned about continuing in entertainment despite the threat of AI, Levi emphasized the importance of the human touch in art creation. He believes there will always be a place for human-made art in the entertainment industry.
Levi foresees AI tools enabling individuals to create their own films with minimal input. As AI continues to progress, it may become a challenge to promote human-made movies.
While acknowledging the potential competition from AI-generated content, Levi highlighted the allure of watching movies featuring long-deceased stars. He mentioned the possibility of new sequels or movies made possible through AI technology, such as a hypothetical ‘Singing in the Rain’ sequel featuring Gene Kelly.
Levi warned that AI will impact various industries besides entertainment and urged people to be vigilant about its development. He emphasized the significance of recognizing and understanding the implications of AI’s advancement.
“Many jobs, and it’s going to happen way faster than you think it’s going to happen,” he said. The 44-year-old continued, saying, “In the larger grand scheme of everything, as far as technology and progress, I’m a firm believer that you can’t stop it, you can only hope to guide it. So, we’re not going to stop this flood. We can only build levees and dams and channels and things to try to make sure we’re guiding it in the best possible way. There’s still going to be casualties, there’s still going to be a lot of people who get hurt in the process, unfortunately. But I think at the end of the day, we are moving into what is going to be a whole new world, legitimately.”
The “Shazam!” star believes that artificial intelligence (AI) will displace many jobs but hopes it will also open up opportunities for humans to focus on “creation and discovery.”
“Ultimately, and this is part of the reason why I want to build, why I feel like I need to build the campus, or campuses plural if I can do multiple, is because I think that really, as humans, what we want to be focusing on are just, there’s two areas of vocation that mean anything anymore, moving into the future, and that’s creation and discovery.”
He then added that AI will still be a tool used in creation and discovery, emphasizing that these are the activities that stimulate the human heart, mind, and soul. Levi believes that as long as there are opportunities for people to work, it provides them with purpose beyond just making an income. He highlighted the importance of purpose in people’s lives, noting that many individuals who retire and lack activities often face a decline in health and well-being.
Levi sees AI as a tool to assist humans in continuing their pursuits of creation and discovery, ensuring that individuals can still find purpose in their work. “I think it’s important, we must have purpose as we move into this new world, but I don’t know. I don’t know what it’s going to be like for everybody else in every other industry. And I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen in entertainment. I can guess, and my guess is, in very short order people, not just the studios but everyday human beings through the various catalogs of the studios, will have access to, by the way, not just make their own movies but TV shows, video games.”
The actor’s perspective on AI and its impact on the future of work reflects a balance between embracing technological advancements while also acknowledging the importance of retaining human-centric activities such as creativity and exploration. Levi envisions a future where AI complements human endeavors, leading to a world where individuals can find purpose and fulfillment through their work.
