The Evolving Relationship Between AI and Cinema

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced significant changes and innovations to the world of cinema. This topic was explored by Professor Kevin Ben Lee, Associate Professor at USI Faculty of Communication, Culture, and Society, during his appearance on "Pardo Tardi," a broadcast by RSI dedicated to the Locarno Film Festival.

"The difference between traditional cinema and AI-driven cinema is akin to the difference between painting and writing", explained Professor Kevin Ben Lee. "Traditionally, post-production and computer-generated content are comparable to a kind of painting, with hundreds of specialists retouching every part of the image. Today, however, you can create complex text prompts—instructions that utilise information and data—to generate a shot based on words."

In Piazza Grande in Locarno, there is a giant screen that displays AI-generated images, such as leopards roaming the square and a massive waterfall.

According to the USI professor, using AI today saves time and money above all else. "It previously took weeks to develop a story, but now it only takes a few days. As a result, more stories can be produced more quickly."

However, Professor Lee warns that we need to question the real benefits of using AI tools: "The creative and artistic possibilities of artificial intelligence are only just beginning to unfold. It will take time to align our expectations with the actual outcomes we will experience. Currently, AI draws from a vast archive of images to create visual worlds, and the results often resemble advertising more than cinema. I would like to see AI explored in stranger, bolder, and even more unsettling ways. This occasionally happens, especially when AI makes mistakes and produces results we didn't ask for."

In the history of cinema, it would not be the first time that a mistake has led to a masterpiece: "This year marks the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws,' one of the most innovative films ever made. The film's creation was shaped by a significant technical challenge: Spielberg used five mechanical sharks, but most of them either malfunctioned or worked poorly. As a result, he had to adapt his approach and showcase the shark less than he initially intended. This choice made the film even scarier, as it created a constant sense of anxiety for the audience. The moral of the story is that when technology fails us, it can compel us to be more creative and to truly harness the language of cinema, going beyond mere technical execution," concluded Professor Lee.