Billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry has made a startling move. He’s halted the $800 million expansion of his Atlanta studio due to the meteoric rise of AI tools like Sora, the text-to-video generator from ChatGPT’s creators.

Sora’s ability to generate entire film scenes in minutes poses both potential benefits and serious risks. “If I wanted to be in the snow in Colorado…it’s text,” Perry told the Hollywood Reporter. He recognizes the cost-saving potential but is deeply concerned about the industry-wide impact.

“It makes me worry about all the people in the business,” he admits, “because…this will touch every corner of our industry.” The threat of AI-driven job losses looms large. Perry himself witnessed the power of AI when it was used for aging makeup, replacing hours of work by skilled artists.

This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s an ethical dilemma. While other studios might leap at the cost-cutting opportunity, Perry’s conscience won’t allow it. “I’m concerned about what will happen to [the people] I have trained and brought up in this industry.”

He isn’t advocating against AI but rather calling for urgent, collaborative action. “It has to be everybody, all involved in how do we protect the future of our industry…I think of all the…contractors who are not going to be employed because I’m not doing this next phase of the studio.”

Tyler Perry’s decision highlights a watershed moment. The entertainment industry, and many others, must quickly address the balance between embracing technological innovation and safeguarding the livelihoods of those whose work might become obsolete.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN