Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said in an interview published on Friday that he believes artificial intelligence technology will not replace content creators or take away their jobs.
But while AI models themselves may not replace workers, workers who learn how to use them effectively may eventually take those jobs, he said.
“I have a lot more faith in people than that, I really do,” Sarandos says. He said in an interview When asked by The New York Times about concerns that AI will replace creators, he said:
“I don’t think an AI program will be able to write a better script than a great screenwriter or replace great acting or be able to tell the difference. AI isn’t going to take your job,” Sarandos continued. “Someone who uses AI well might take your job.”
In discussing the potential tradeoffs of AI and the future of the technology in the creative industries, Sarandos said he was optimistic about AI’s potential.
“I see AI as a natural progression of what’s going on in the creative sector today,” he said, adding that he expects writers, directors and editors to “use AI as a tool to help them do their jobs better and more efficiently and effectively.”
For example, Sarandos said he expects AI to help grow the field and create new kinds of content that humans just can’t produce.
Sarandos likened AI’s potential impact on the industry to “the giant leap from hand-drawn animation to computer-generated animation,” noting, “Think about how many more people are employed in animation today than they were before.”
He also touched on the public’s resistance to home video, noting that for decades, studios wouldn’t license movies for television.
“Every technological advancement in entertainment has led to a struggle and ultimately to business growth. It remains to be seen whether that will be the case this time,” he said.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
