Paramount CEO: AI Will Reshape Film Production Like CGI Did
David Ellison told investors that artificial intelligence tools will lower costs and speed up workflows, comparing the shift to the digital revolution of the 1990s.
By Sarah Reynolds ·
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison told shareholders this week that artificial intelligence will transform the movie business in a manner comparable to the introduction of computer-generated imagery in the early 1990s. During the company's latest earnings call, Ellison argued that AI has the potential to be the largest creative development in modern history.
Ellison cited the 1991 film Terminator as a benchmark for current costs. He noted that the original production budget was $4 million. By contrast, he estimated that recreating the film shot for shot today would require $60 million to $70 million. Ellison suggested that new AI tools could make such budgets more manageable, allowing studios to take greater risks on original storytelling.
"I think when you zoom out and look at production, AI really has the potential to be the biggest creative unlock in modern history," Ellison said. He added that the advent of digital composites in the early 1990s gave birth to films like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2, and that he finds it hard to imagine AI having less impact than that technology.
The executive stated that Paramount Skydance is developing its own internal AI tools. He claimed these tools will make content production easier and speed up projects across the organization. Ellison emphasized that this technological shift will increase the value of premium intellectual property and live events rather than diminish it.
Ellison acknowledged the growing volume of AI-generated media, which he referred to as "AI slop." He argued that this abundance creates a premium for hand-crafted storytelling. The CEO maintained that artificial intelligence serves as a tool for artists and will never replace them.
The comments came as the company outlines its strategy for integrating new technology into its workflow. Ellison said the changes will fundamentally transform how the company operates. He described the upcoming period as one where AI helps unlock more original stories by making budgets more digestible for risky projects.
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