The Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024 featured a compelling panel discussion on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the film industry. The session, ‘The Magic of AI,’ delved into the scope, applications, and ethical considerations of AI technology in filmmaking. The panellists offered a comprehensive overview of AI's advantages and potential drawbacks, highlighting its significant influence on the industry.

Panel Composition and Overview

The panel comprised renowned figures from the film industry and AI experts:

• Sankar Ramakrishnan: Senior Filmmaker and AI Expert from Trivandrum
• Ujwal Nirgudkar: Chairman of the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers, India, and Technical Advisor to the National Film Heritage Mission
• Sanath P.C.: Cofounder and Director at Firefly Creative Studio
• Sanjay Jangid: Dean of Animation and Design at Chitkara University

The session was moderated by Dr Nimish Kapoor, a science communicator and science film curator, with Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Key Insights from Panelists

Sankar Ramakrishnan

Ramakrishnan highlighted AI's efficiency in filmmaking, noting that AI can manage numerous tasks on film sets with precision, significantly reducing the time required for each job. He pointed out that while AI reduces the need for human labour, it also risks fostering overreliance on technology. "AI can manage all kinds of work with just one click, but it also has the potential to make us lazy by doing our work for us," he noted.

Ujwal Nirgudkar

Nirgudkar emphasized the rapid evolution of technology and the necessity for constant updates. He explained the difference between traditional AI, which relies on patterns in data to make predictions, and generative AI, which learns from existing data to create new, similar data. Nirgudkar highlighted AI's potential to level the playing field for newcomers and small creators in the film industry. He mentioned that AI could suggest necessary project components if storyboards are ready but cautioned that they must be used ethically.

Sanath P.C.

Sanath discussed AI's self-thinking capabilities and its role in enhancing storytelling in films. He underscored the importance of responsible use, stating that humans control any software or technology and can be modified as needed. He reminded the audience of the responsibility to use AI responsibly, emphasizing that AI's impact depends on human intent and usage.

Sanjay Jangid

Jangid compared AI's potential impact to past technological revolutions such as electricity, the internet, and mobile phones. He stressed the importance of ethical usage, warning against using AI as a shortcut. "If you put garbage in, you will get garbage out. We should use AI carefully and for good causes only," he concluded.

The Broader Implications of AI in Filmmaking

The discussion underscored AI's potential to revolutionize the film industry while highlighting the need for ethical considerations and responsible use. AI can enhance creativity, streamline production processes, and democratize access to filmmaking tools, allowing smaller creators to compete on a more level playing field. However, the panellists also raised concerns about the potential negative impacts, such as job displacement and the erosion of human creativity and effort.

Ethical Considerations and Responsible Use

The panellists emphasized that the ethical use of AI is crucial to its successful integration into the film industry. They highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and continuous learning to ensure that AI tools benefit society rather than harm it. The conversation reinforced the idea that while AI offers immense possibilities, it is ultimately a tool that reflects the values and intentions of its users.

Conclusion

The MIFF 2024 panel discussion on ‘The Magic of AI’ provided valuable insights into AI's revolutionary impact on filmmaking. The panellists' diverse perspectives illuminated AI's opportunities and challenges, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that leverages AI's capabilities while safeguarding ethical standards and human creativity. As AI continues to evolve, the film industry must navigate these complexities to harness its full potential responsibly.

Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

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