Filmmaker James Cameron has joined the board of the AI company StabilityAI, 40 years after he created “The Terminator,” a film about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI).
In that 1984 movie, a rogue AI named Skynet poses a serious threat to humanity. However, Cameron’s new role isn’t about preventing AI dangers; instead, he will focus on using AI in special effects, also known as computer-generated images (CGI).
Cameron explained that he has always been interested in new technologies that push creative boundaries. He stated, “I was at the forefront of CGI over three decades ago, and I’ve stayed on the cutting edge since.” Now, he believes that the combination of generative AI and CGI is the next big thing in filmmaking.
StabilityAI is well-known for its product, Stable Diffusion, which generates images from text prompts. It is also working on a video version called Stable Video Diffusion, which can create videos from text. Cameron aims to help enhance this technology, which many supporters say can make it easier for artists to create complex digital effects.
However, not everyone in the film industry is excited about AI-generated video. Directors like Guillermo del Toro and Michael Bay have criticized it, calling it unoriginal and lazy. Hayao Miyazaki, known for his animated classic “Spirited Away,” expressed his strong disapproval, saying AI-generated videos are an insult to creativity.
Rashik Parmar, from the Chartered Institute for IT, noted that movies like “The Terminator” have shaped people’s fears about AI, making them think it might harm humanity. He believes Cameron could help change this negative view of AI.
Cameron’s appointment comes at a challenging time for StabilityAI, as it competes with other companies like OpenAI and Runway, which are also developing video generation tools.
StabilityAI is also facing legal issues over copyright claims, as artists argue that their work is being used without permission to train AI models.
Cameron’s entry into the AI sector could help create a more positive perception of this technology, showing how it can be a tool for creativity rather than a threat, according to the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxr4732pxwo