Hollywood execs train for jobs that don’t exist as AI upends film industry in new “talkies” moment

Hollywood executives and industry professionals are training for jobs that don’t yet exist as artificial intelligence reshapes the entertainment landscape, according to discussions at recent industry conferences. The uncertainty reflects broader challenges facing an industry still recovering from COVID-19, strikes, and the ongoing transformation of traditional film and television models.

What industry leaders are saying: Executives acknowledge the unpredictable nature of AI’s impact while drawing parallels to past technological disruptions.

• “We are now training for jobs that do not yet exist,” said Bruce Markoe, IMAX’s head of post and image capture, speaking at Runway’s AI Film Festival on June 12.
• “People were freaking out when talkies were around,” Markoe noted, arguing that efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean fewer jobs but rather new industries that are “really hard to understand.”
• Runway founder Cristóbal Valenzuela predicted “there’s going to be all kinds of new positions that need to be created to work with AI tools that are not existing today.”

Current state of AI filmmaking: The technology shows promise but remains limited in executing fundamental cinematic techniques.

• Runway’s AI Film Festival received over 6,000 submissions in 2024, compared to just a few hundred in 2023, indicating growing interest.
• However, basic elements like character consistency often fall short, with many films resembling “conceptual collages seeking the right tools to bring their visions to life.”
• One standout was Riccardo Fusetti’s “Editorial,” which visualized thoughts racing through a woman’s mind, though it still felt like “a promising rough draft.”

The bigger picture: Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, speaking at CAA’s Amplify conference, traced familiar patterns of technological disruption from the printing press to generative AI.

• New technologies consistently lower barriers to entry while opening doors to more creators.
• This process inevitably brings “aggressive competition, major disruption, and redistribution of jobs, power, and income.”

Why patience might be warranted: Traditional filmmaking continues to find success even as new technologies emerge.

• A24’s “Materialists” — an original romantic comedy shot on 35mm film — opened to $12 million this weekend, demonstrating enduring appeal for conventional storytelling.
• The industry’s survival mantra has evolved from “Survive until ’25” to the more pessimistic “Exist until ’26,” according to Los Angeles Times analysis.

What’s next: Industry professionals remain caught between preparing for an AI-dominated future and navigating present uncertainties, with no clear timeline for when transformative changes will fully materialize.