In Los Angeles, AI Gains Ground Among Creators Despite Doubts

Gathered at UCLA for a dedicated day, creators, brands, and technicians showcased works made with AI and detailed their methods. The discussions mainly focused on the assumed adoption of these tools, with calls for transparency and concerns about employment, rather than excuses in the face of criticism.

Transparency and Inevitability Asserted by Speakers

James Douglas, vice president of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, emphasized the importance of not misleading consumers about what is AI-generated and what is not, stating that "the person consuming the content should not be deceived." A recurring theme of the day was the idea that AI is inevitable and that creators who do not adopt it risk being left behind. Bernie Su, creator of web series and creative director at Pickford, remarked that "the game is changing," adding, "We will do our thing. Audiences will react to us, and we will see what happens."

Employment and Limits: Concerns About Voice Acting and the "Uncanny Valley"

The implications for employment were barely addressed, although the reduction in the number of people needed for productions was mentioned. The risks of derivative works generated by AI were also less discussed. Vincent Marcus, followed by over 1.3 million people on Instagram, anticipates that his voice acting career may become obsolete and says he is preparing for it, which has led him to adopt AI. Some photorealistic productions still exhibited an uncanny valley effect.

Individual Responses to Public Criticism

In response to negative comments about AI-generated content, DeStorm Power explained that he receives them and "takes them head-on." Speaking during a panel dedicated to pioneering YouTubers, he noted that he has over 3 million subscribers on YouTube and chooses to ignore the criticism to focus on the thousands of internet users who appreciate his AI-utilizing videos.

What Creators Showed: Projects, Tools, and Methods

The projects presented ranged from a sketch about a merman roommate to a black-and-white short film inspired by old Hollywood, with details on the number of humans involved and the AI credits used. Several speakers insisted that a human remained at the helm and that AI was merely a tool. The tools mentioned included Seedance and Kling for video, Midjourney and Nano Banana Pro for images, as well as ChatGPT and Claude for ideation and writing. David Bianchi reminded attendees that making a film with AI is not easy and "requires real know-how," adding, "You have the tools, but you cannot create the taste."

Context of the Event and Promise of a "Safe Space"

On Tuesday, hundreds of creators, marketing specialists, brands, and AI enthusiasts gathered at UCLA for "AI Creator Day," a one-day event organized by TheWrap and What’s Trending, featuring sessions like "What It Really Takes to Create an AI Series" and "Who Decides What Is Human?" The atmosphere on-site was marked by a broad indifference to criticisms aimed at AI, even as some influencers avoid it elsewhere. Several participants explained they were seeking a "safe space" to discuss creation with these tools. It was not always easy to determine precisely the contribution of AI in the works, particularly regarding ideas, jokes, or dialogues. Director Chris Capel explained that thanks to AI, he was able to bring to life a short film idea conceived twenty years ago, while the creators of "The Arc" stated they completed the first episode, from conception to post-production, in three and a half weeks. Capel, who presented "Living with a Merman," clarified that this project dated back twenty years and that he had not had the necessary means to realize it until now.