Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos dismisses AI threat to creative jobs in Hollywood

Ted Sarandos compared the potential impact of AI to previous technological advancements like home video.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently reassured the entertainment industry, stating that AI won't be replacing writers and actors anytime soon. In an interview with The New York Times, he expressed confidence in the irreplaceable nature of human creativity and performance, despite the rise of AI in the industry.

Sarandos compared the potential impact of AI to previous technological advancements like home video, which initially faced resistance but eventually boosted the entertainment business. He believes AI will follow a similar trajectory, serving as a tool to enhance rather than replace human creativity.

This comes as a surprise considering Netflix's own exploration of AI, with a past job listing seeking a product manager for AI-focused roles. The company's intent to utilise AI across various operations, including content creation, raised concerns among industry professionals.

However, Sarandos' comments reflect a broader debate surrounding AI's role in Hollywood. Last year's WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes highlighted the fear of AI replacing writers and actors, while advancements like OpenAI's text-to-video model Sora further fueled these concerns.

Despite these anxieties, Sarandos remains optimistic, viewing AI as a tool that can complement human creativity rather than supplant it. Only time will tell how this technology evolves and shapes the entertainment industry, but for now, it seems that human creativity will remain at the heart of Hollywood's storytelling.