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Skydance boss says AI could become “the biggest creative unlock in modern history”
Skydance chief David Ellison said artificial intelligence could become “the biggest creative unlock in modern history”, arguing it may have a greater effect on film production than the arrival of CGI and special effects. His comments signal enthusiasm for AI in filmmaking, while he also said artists and hand-crafted storytelling would remain valuable.
Ellison compared AI’s potential with the technology behind films such as *Jurassic Park* and *Terminator 2*. He described AI as a tool for artists, not a replacement, but did not specify how it might be used in future Skydance projects. The remarks came amid changes at DC Studios, where James Gunn and Peter Safran have departed and Jeremy Latcham has been brought in.
In short
- Ellison says AI could transform film production.
- He compares its potential with the rise of CGI.
- He says artists and handcrafted stories will still matter.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
AI could expand what filmmakers can create by making complex visual effects and production techniques more accessible, much as CGI opened new possibilities for films such as Jurassic Park. Used as a tool under artists’ direction, it could help teams explore ideas, reduce technical barriers and devote more time to storytelling, while hand-crafted work remains valuable.
The case against
The creative gains are uncertain while AI’s effects on artistic control, employment and the value of skilled craft remain unresolved. If studios rely on it to cut costs or automate creative work, it could narrow opportunities for artists and produce less distinctive films, even if presented as a tool rather than a replacement.