What To Know
- According to Cheng, AI could help address some of the challenges of large-scale film and television production by bridging what he calls “the last mile” between consumer AI tools and the precise control required by filmmakers.
- Cheng described the initiative, known internally as AI Studio, as a small, startup-style unit operating under Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ “two-pizza team” philosophy, meaning the group is small enough to be fed by two pizzas.
- Amazon is leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support development and plans to work with multiple large language model providers to give creators flexibility in pre- and post-production.
Amazon plans to use artificial intelligence to accelerate movie and television production, even as concerns grow across Hollywood that AI could reshape the industry and threaten jobs.
At Amazon MGM Studios, veteran entertainment executive Albert Cheng is leading a dedicated team tasked with developing new AI tools designed to reduce costs and streamline creative workflows. The company plans to launch a closed beta programme in March, inviting selected industry partners to test the technology, with initial results expected by May.
Cheng described the initiative, known internally as AI Studio, as a small, startup-style unit operating under Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ “two-pizza team” philosophy, meaning the group is small enough to be fed by two pizzas. The team is made up primarily of engineers and scientists, supported by a smaller group focused on creative and business development.
Amazon is openly embracing AI as production budgets continue to rise, limiting the number of projects studios can afford to finance. The company believes AI can help make content creation more efficient without replacing human creativity.
“The cost of creating is so high that it really is hard to make more and it really is hard to take great risk,” Cheng said. “We fundamentally believe that AI can accelerate, but it won’t replace, the innovation and the unique aspects that humans bring to creating the work.”
The move comes amid growing anxiety in the entertainment industry, with several high-profile actors and creatives voicing concerns that AI could eventually reduce opportunities for human talent. Amazon stressed that writers, directors, actors and character designers will remain involved at every stage of production, with AI positioned as a supporting tool rather than a substitute.
Amazon’s broader push into AI mirrors efforts across the tech sector, where companies are seeking efficiencies while adapting to rapid technological change. The company has cut around 30,000 corporate jobs since October, its largest round of layoffs to date, including roles within Prime Video.
According to Cheng, AI could help address some of the challenges of large-scale film and television production by bridging what he calls “the last mile” between consumer AI tools and the precise control required by filmmakers. These tools aim to improve character consistency across scenes and integrate seamlessly with industry-standard creative software.
Amazon is leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support development and plans to work with multiple large language model providers to give creators flexibility in pre- and post-production. Protecting intellectual property and ensuring AI-generated content is not reused to train other models are key priorities for the studio.
The AI Studio is already collaborating with industry figures including Robert Stromberg (Maleficent) and his company Secret City, Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) and Good Karma Productions, and former Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic animator Colin Brady.
Launched last August, the studio points to its hit series House of David as an early example of AI’s potential. For the show’s second season, director Jon Erwin combined AI-generated elements with live-action footage to create large-scale battle scenes, expanding their scope while keeping costs under control.
