‘AI could push many filmmakers out of business’ – Selassie Ibrahim raises concern

Selassie Ibrahim, founder of the Regal Film Festivals and Awards, has voiced apprehension about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. She believes the technology could pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of many industry professionals who lack the necessary technical skills and resources to adapt to AI-driven production methods.

During an interview, Ibrahim stated that the rapid evolution of AI could leave certain filmmakers struggling to maintain relevance in an industry being increasingly shaped by technology. She emphasized that those who cannot acquire the required skills to work with AI may find themselves at a disadvantage as it becomes more prevalent.

"For me, it's very alarming. It's very worrisome because it might throw a lot of people out of business," she expressed. While acknowledging that technological progress is inevitable, Ibrahim urged filmmakers to enhance their abilities and adapt to the shifting demands of the industry. "It breaks my heart, but that is what technology has brought to us.

So we just have to up our game," she added. Regarding the readiness of AI-generated films to tell African stories at international film festivals, Ibrahim had reservations. She pointed out that current AI platforms still struggle with crucial aspects of visual storytelling, such as synchronizing character movements with dialogue and maintaining consistency in scenes.

These shortcomings make AI-generated productions unsuitable for representing African content at this stage. However, she remains hopeful that the technology will improve over time, especially if African filmmakers and content creators push for better representation and more suitable tools. Ibrahim also expressed confidence that audiences would still appreciate authentic human-created productions, even as AI becomes more integrated into filmmaking.

Her comments contribute to the ongoing debate about how artificial intelligence might reshape the creative industry, with filmmakers having to balance embracing new technology while safeguarding their skills, jobs, and creative processes.