For years, I’ve been a staunch advocate for AI as a tool to enhance our creativity, not to diminish it. As a screenwriter, producer, and creator, I saw early on how AI could be an ally, not a competitor. Yet, for many in Hollywood and creative industries, AI was something to be feared, ridiculed, and even demonized. I’ve faced resistance, skepticism, and at times, outright hostility for suggesting that AI could be a meaningful tool in our creative toolbox.
Now, as the entertainment landscape begins to shift, I’m thrilled to see the tide turning toward my point of view.
The Fear of AI in Hollywood
For the longest time, AI was portrayed as a villain—not only in movies but in our own industry. Writers, actors, and producers feared that AI would take jobs, render human creativity obsolete, and result in a creative apocalypse. This fear was especially exacerbated during recent strikes, where AI became a point of contention.
But for those of us who understand the real power of AI, this fear was always misplaced. I’ve been vocal about how AI is not here to replace writers, directors, or artists—but to enhance them. AI’s true potential lies in freeing us from mundane tasks, accelerating workflows, and allowing us to focus on what we do best: telling stories.
Advocating for AI as a Tool, Not a Threat
I’ve always believed in the creative potential of AI. When I started experimenting with AI platforms like Runway and LTX Studios, I saw firsthand how AI could help us storyboard, create backgrounds, and generate creative options that would take human teams weeks to achieve.
I’ve created everything from commercials to AI-generated songs that augment my original ideas, adding new layers of depth. These tools have been vital to my creative process, allowing me to do more, faster, and with greater flexibility.
The Changing Tide: Hollywood’s New Embrace of AI
It’s refreshing to see that major industry players are finally catching up. Just look at Lionsgate’s recent partnership with Runway, where the studio is using AI to augment pre-production and post-production workflows. Even more exciting is seeing James Cameron—a pioneer in pushing the boundaries of CGI—join Stability AI’s board of directors. It’s no longer a question of if AI will become part of Hollywood’s creative process, but how we can best integrate it into our workflows.
AI and the Future of Storytelling
As we look to the future, I firmly believe that AI will continue to evolve as a creative partner. By embracing AI, we can empower underrepresented voices in our community. AI allows creators with fewer resources to achieve what only big-budget studios could in the past. It democratizes filmmaking, screenwriting, and even music production.
The Time to Embrace AI is Now
Our community deserves to lead this technological revolution, not lag behind. AI isn’t something to be feared—it’s something to be embraced. For those still skeptical, I encourage you to view AI not as a replacement, but as a powerful ally in the quest to tell better, more diverse stories. And with major players like Lionsgate and James Cameron now leaning into AI’s potential, the industry as a whole is finally starting to catch up with what I—and many others—have long known.
Break Your Story with Matt Allen