The Development and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Film Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a prominent topic across various sectors due to its ability to rapidly and affordably generate ideas. This technology has also made its way into the film industry, raising concerns among filmmakers worldwide who see AI as a potential “threat” to the creation of original works.

In response to public interest about AI’s role in the creative industry, Jakarta Film Week 2024 held a discussion in collaboration with the Buncheon International Fantastic Film Festival titled “Screening and Talks: Cinema in AI.” This event featured experienced speakers such as Motulz Anto (director of Perjalanan Waktu TVRI), Hansl Von Kwon (director of One More Pumpkin), Hafez Gumay (Advocacy Manager), and Ikhaputri Widiantini (Philosophy Lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Indonesia). The discussion took place on October 26, 2024, at Sjuman Djaya Theater, Taman Ismail Marzuki.

During the event, audiences viewed 10 films from Indonesia and France that incorporated AI technology in their creative processes, followed by a panel discussion. This event provided a platform for audiences to explore AI’s role in the creative industry and gain new perspectives on the technology.

From the directors’ perspective, Motulz and Hansl see AI as a potential companion technology alongside analog filmmaking. The results, of course, differ due to the distinct processes involved when humans versus machines are creating. “The relationship between humans and AI will never merge completely; AI is merely a machine without emotions, so active human involvement is still essential for producing meaningful work,” said Motulz.

Another key issue discussed was copyright and accountability in creation. According to Hafez, understanding copyright is crucial, especially since AI-generated works can be easily accessed. “Every creator needs to understand the basics of copyright, from identifying the original creator to fairly distributing royalties among all contributors,” he explained.

From an academic perspective, Ikha emphasized that AI can serve as an inclusive tool to support the learning process rather than replacing the role of humans or other aspects of education.

This event underscored the complexity and challenges surrounding AI in the creative industry. Through open discussion, filmmakers, academics, and the public were encouraged to view AI not as a threat but as a tool that can support creativity through an inclusive approach. With a more open perspective, AI is hoped to be used ethically and effectively, allowing the film industry and the arts to grow richer and more diverse.

For more information on the programs and events at Jakarta Film Week 2024, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com or follow us on social media @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this celebration of international cinema in Jakarta this year!

Asia Khairunnisa Luthan | Nanda Hadiyanti