AI Set to Transform Production Industry, Mip London Panel Says: ‘This Is the Most Exciting Time in TV History’

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At the lively debate during Mip London, prominent figures in production gave their views on how AI is reshaping content generation and pointed out possibilities for independent creators to outperform established studios by leveraging these advancements.

Jason Mitchell, creator of The Connected Set, showcased Storyboarder.ai – an $50-monthly animation tool. This software uses generative AI to transform scripts into storyboards automatically. In essence, it simplifies the process by providing a visual representation of your script that can be handed over to human animators, although their future plans involve integrating the animation creation within the product itself, as Mitchell detailed.

Eline Van Der Velden, the CEO of Particle6, disclosed that her company is pushing the boundaries of AI application. “We’re now creating short films entirely with AI… even synthesizing human characters. We’re discussing entire AI-generated drama series,” she stated, noting a potential reduction in production costs by as much as 90% compared to conventional techniques.

Avi Armoza, head of Armoza Formats, highlighted economic constraints leading to increased adoption. “Money for production is becoming scarce, and everyone is aiming to create shows in a more budget-friendly manner,” he explained, noting their game show “Family Piggy Bank” employs CGI for its stage design. “Our show ‘Family Piggy Bank’ features all sets made with Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). It also makes post-production easier using AI.

The experts showed enthusiasm about AI empowering smaller production firms to compete against industry titans, with Van Der Velden stating, “This is the most thrilling era in TV I’ve witnessed, as traditional giants like BBC Studios, Universal, Disney are constrained, while we small indies can innovate freely thanks to our size and agility. It’s a prime moment for small companies to rise and potentially become the next major studios.

Mitchell pointed out persistent objections from broadcasters concerning artificial intelligence during live broadcasts. “To be honest,” he noted, “broadcasters are quite apprehensive about using AI in live productions at the present time.” He implied that while AI is more welcomed in the development and post-production stages.

In other words: Mitchell explained that broadcasters have been expressing reservations towards AI in real-time broadcasts, stating that they are currently uncomfortable with integrating it into a live production. However, he hinted that AI is generally accepted during the development and finalization phases.

Opinions varied regarding the possibility of job displacement. Armoza suggested that certain positions might require fewer workers, citing a possible reduction from 10 to 2-3 in writing room personnel as an example. On the other hand, Mitchell argued that AI would lead to more job opportunities in the content industry, stating that there’s virtually unlimited content we can produce and that he doesn’t foresee a decrease in roles overall.

Speaking from my perspective as an admirer, I find myself echoing Mitchell’s sentiments about intellectual property concerns surrounding AI-generated content. The sheer volume of input required to create a single piece of content suggests such a vast amount of human effort and creativity involved. From my viewpoint, it seems rather unlikely that the computer alone should be credited for the work.

The discussion ended with all participants stressing that production companies should adopt AI immediately to secure their competitive edge. As industry veterans, we’ve been fortunate to witness a period of growth in creation and creativity. However, it seems that this trend is declining now. In my opinion, AI offers us a chance to reverse this trend and position ourselves for further success.

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2025-02-25 20:16