M3GAN producers give thoughts on AI in movies

The upcoming horror movie M3GAN is about an android doll programmed with AI, making her capable of befriending children and, you know, killing people. But where could all of this AI madness end? M3GAN producers Jason Blum and James Wan have thoughts on how it factors into the movie industry.

James Wan, whose Atomic Monster Productions co-produces M3GAN with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, thinks the entire idea of AI making movies is one worth discussing may not be a threat to the industry. “The curiosity of it is intriguing. We’ve seen all this AI artwork that’s been popping up recently, and it’s incredible how amazing some of this artwork can be. But it still needs to be programmed by humans and given parameters by humans. So you’d still need a driver in there to tell the AI how to write the script and what to write and all of that. So in some ways, you still need that human touch.”

Jason Blum also said that the human element is essential, no matter how far technology advances. “AI is infiltrating every aspect of our life, and it’s only going to go deeper into our culture and our arts. But there’s still a part of me that is cautiously optimistic about it. What makes us human is what makes us human, and I don’t think that’s replaceable. At least I hope it isn’t.” At the same time, he said, “I definitely have concerns about AI, but I don’t know. Maybe I do have concerns [about AI and filmmaking].” However, he did note that M3GAN is “about being very wary of how we use our AI and to realize the power of it to do good and to do bad.”

While M3GAN does bring up issues related to the dangers of AI technology (going off of plot only), the biggest draws will be the creep factor of the titular android, how she kills and if she can outmatch Chucky. However, Jason Blum and James Wan do bring up important points. How far can artificial intelligence be taken when it comes to art? Come to think of it, how will technology advance in the robotic doll industry, as a sequel to M3GAN has reportedly already been discussed.

What do you think? Do you think AI-generated material will be an imposing force in the entertainment industry? Where do you see it going from here? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.