A recent investigation has revealed that companies behind generative AI are using more than 130,000 film and TV scripts without permission. The British Film Institute (BFI) dug into the issue in its report, ‘AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward,’ which closely examines how AI is reshaping the film, television, video game, and visual effects industries.
The report highlights a significant challenge for the industry. Generative models are learning the structure and language of screen storytelling—not just from texts but from images and videos too. This means they can reproduce these storytelling techniques at a fraction of the cost of traditional productions, raising concerns about copyright and the erosion of opportunities, particularly for newcomers in film and TV. Even though AI tools have already found a place in filmmaking (for example, in post‐production work on the Oscar-winning ‘The Brutalist’), their rapid evolution is pushing the industry to rethink its approach.
Adding to the urgency, the UK government is considering new legislation that would allow copyright owners to opt out if they don’t want their work to be used for AI training. BFI’s Director of Research & Innovation, Rishi Coupland, explained to Variety that while AI has been a useful tool for creatives, its swift progress could eventually challenge the original creators’ role. This growing trend calls for thoughtful conversation on how to protect valuable intellectual property while still embracing innovative technology.
