There has been a lot of concern about AI’s potential to replace artists and human creativity, but during his talk at the May 16 AI On The Lot event in downtown Los Angeles, Renard Jenkins politely reminded attendees that AI could affect almost all jobs, including those from CFOs to CEOs.
“I would simply suggest that if you gave me 10 years of your financial performance [and additional data] I can design a CFO,” said Jenkins, president and CEO of software development and consulting firm I2A2. “I can build an algorithm that can make Wall Street happier than a CEO [could].”
But the executive, who is also president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and a Warner Bros. alumnus, wasn’t suggesting that humans weren’t essential. He emphasized that he hopes AI education will “eliminate fear” and introduce the possibilities offered by the technology, which he sees as a tool. “This is nothing more than mathematics, probability and statistics,” he said. “Don’t think of it as a replacement; think of it as an enhancement.
“Human beings have to remain part of the process,” he stated. “The actions you put into these systems are the ones that are really important.”
During his talk, Jenkins said he would not proclaim the use of AI as a way to save money, but rather as a way to save time. Time, he noted, often brings with it better results.
In its second year, AI On The Lot reported 850 registered participants. Attendees ranged from Hollywood studio representatives to technology developers and filmmakers, both established and those looking to make their mark as part of the next generation of storytellers.
In AI-related news, Thursday was also the last scheduled day of negotiations between the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which concluded without agreement on a new Basic Agreement. Artificial intelligence protections are a major issue in these negotiations, along with topics such as funding for IATSE benefit plans.
Negotiation of the Area Standards Agreement is scheduled to begin on Monday and IATSE said negotiations on the Basic Agreement are expected to resume in June. The three-year contract expires on July 31.
