September 22, 2023

How AI Will Change Video Production As We Know It

It’s a whole new world out there, people. And if you’re smart, right now you’re asking yourself, ‘Did AI write this article I’m about to read?’ The answer is no. As of now, my chicken-pecking typing fingers are still actually attached to real hands getting direction from a human brain. 

Even as ChatGPT takes over the heavy lifting of content writing and other tasks, AI is stretching into other worlds as well, and video production is no exception. Honestly, it’s enough to worry a company that makes its living doing that very thing. But the Glass-Is-Half-Full in us has us trying to navigate a future where we harness its power without giving away the literal roof over our heads. (An artificial one of those just won’t do.)

Here Are the Top Ways AI is Set to Impact Video Production

These are not listed in order of importance, because I’m not a bot. I also can’t tell which of these areas of video production will be impacted the most because I’m not a fortune teller. Now that full disclosure is out there, we carry on, as we must. 

1. Editing 

• Automated Cutting: With AI’s ability to analyze hours of footage, we can expect rapid and efficient selection of the best clips. It can detect emotions, continuity, and even the quality of shots, trimming down editing hours significantly.
• Visual Effects Enhancement: Instead of labor-intensive frame-by-frame edits, AI tools can automate processes like object removal, color correction, and even 3D modeling integration, ensuring a seamless blend between CGI and real footage.
• Real-time Adjustments: AI can make real-time decisions, like stabilizing shaky footage or adjusting lighting conditions on the fly, further speeding up post-production timelines.

2. Intellectual Property Questions

• Content Verification: With deepfakes and manipulated content on the rise, AI tools are vital in verifying the authenticity of footage, distinguishing between genuine content and AI-generated imitations.
• Rights Management: As AI-created content becomes more commonplace, there will be new challenges around who owns the rights to these creations. To us, this is one of the murkiest areas. How do we decide what is derivative and what level is acceptable in terms of AI incorporation? In addition, AI can aid in tracking content origin, ensuring appropriate credits and compensations are allocated. At least for now. Until some other AI tool figures out a workaround. 
• Copyright Enforcement: AI-driven systems can constantly monitor the internet, flagging potential copyright violations of videos, ensuring that creators’ rights are always protected. Some of this is already happening, but expect it to amp up 100 fold in the next few months/years. 

3. Music

• Custom Soundtracks: AI can now generate music tailored to a video’s mood, pace, and theme. This can lead to more personalized, fitting soundtracks without the hassle of spending hours sifting through libraries or dealing with licensing issues. Yes, it robs us of some creative input, but if AI can do it better than we can, we’re doing something wrong. 
• Sound Enhancement: From improving audio clarity to balancing different sound elements, AI can help ensure the audio quality matches the visual excellence. Still not sure AI can “fix it all in post” just yet, but this could be a timesaver in terms of basic audio sweetening. 
• Voice Synthesis and Dubbing: For global content, AI can simulate voiceovers in various languages, ensuring a consistent tone and emotion that traditional dubbing might miss. The level of accuracy is still up for debate as of this writing, as I’m not sure AI can understand the difference in colloquialisms and turns-of-phrase that only a native speaker could truly translate. And will it note etiquette or flag culturally offensive language? I feel like a test is in order….. actually, many tests. 

 

The Future is Collaborative

While these advancements certainly seem intimidating, it’s crucial to remember that AI is a tool. The true magic lies in the collaborative potential between humans and AI.

Instead of replacing the creative process, AI can enhance it, removing repetitive tasks and giving creators more time for storytelling, conceptualizing, and innovating.

The future is here.

Those who harness it, win.