The future of content and entertainment. Whether we like it or not.
An introduction
Let me start with a little background on myself, and how I’ve come to these conclusions.
For the last three years, I've been deeply immersed in the tech industry, investing in and collaborating with companies at the forefront of innovation. Many of which have been those pioneering advancements in AI and chip technology, critical components that are propelling AI forward at an unprecedented pace.
I know AI is often viewed with skepticism and even dubbed a "dirty word" in this industry, but its rapid development is undeniable. We are witnessing an acceleration in AI that is poised to continue, if not intensify, in the years ahead.
This experience has afforded me early access to groundbreaking AI technologies and companies specializing in generating text, images, music, and video content. The quality of output is astonishingly high, to the point of being scarily impressive. And it's only improving from here.
This surge in AI also brings forth a transformative time for the industry, reminiscent of the shifts from Blockbuster to Netflix and theaters to streaming. This period will certainly challenge many, and not all will weather the transition. However, those that emerge on the other side will find themselves at the dawn of a new golden age in storytelling and content creation, an era that will leave a lasting impact for generations.
Self-generated content and entertainment is the future
I believe that within 10 years (maybe less than 5), a large percentage of the content we enjoy will be self-generated. Including the art we appreciate, the music we listen to, the books we read, and even the shows and movies we fall in love with.
For example, I have two young boys (5 and 1) that love watching Bluey on Disney+.
Today, my five year old opens the Disney+ app and navigates to his favorite episode(s) to watch (and re-watch…). But when my youngest is five, he will also navigate to Disney+, but instead of selecting an existing episode he will create his own right on the spot.
“I want an episode where Bluey and Bingo go to the Zoo.”
Within seconds, an episode will be created that will be indistinguishable from the episodes that we love today (because it’s learned from the hundreds of episodes before it).
From here my son can choose to save his creation (to re-watch later), remix it (“again, but have Bluey get lost while at the Zoo.”) or create a brand new one. This pattern will repeat over and over again.
BANNER OF BLUEY CARDS
New characters will be created specifically for this medium.
This technology extends far beyond existing beloved characters; it opens the door to the creation of entirely new personas and universes as well.
This is more than likely the best approach at the beginning anyways. While Bluey is an established brand that millions love, it wouldn’t be the same if millions of new episodes where being created each year.
Instead we’ll likely see the emergence of fresh characters and series designed without any pre-existing episodes (but instead months and months of training data, rules and artwork to pull from). A distinct advantage for Disney, explored in more depth below, lies in its ability to integrate these new characters into its well-established universes. Imagine a series exploring the life of a young alien within the Star Wars universe or following the adventures of a new character in the world of Cars.
Millions of original episodes will be created each year, many of which will become new all-time favorites for the fans creating them.
IMAGE OF NEW CHARACTER PIXAR STYLE
It won’t just be video, but expanded into all aspects of digital entertainment
This technology would enable customers to create a variety of digital experiences, including books, audio stories, coloring books, and music or songs. Furthermore, this digital content can be transformed into tangible items, such as printed books, posters, t-shirts, and other merchandise, allowing for a seamless blend of digital creativity and physical goods.
SCREENSHOT OF DISNEY GPT, LINKS TO SITE
The streaming wars will heat up, but Disney has a unique advantage.
This future will not be unique to Disney. Netflix and other streaming platforms will adopt this form of content as well. YouTube will give these tools to its creators to create new content. The next Pixar and award winning animation studio could very well stem from this process (And I think is very likely).
But Disney has what others do not. An edge that would take a hundred years for others to follow.
Disney's unparalleled advantage here lies in its rich library of intellectual properties (IP), beloved characters, and expansive universes, spanning from the enchanting worlds of Pixar to the epic sagas of Star Wars and Marvel.
This treasure trove of content not only places Disney at the forefront of traditional media but also provides a robust foundation for an AI-generated future. The emotional connections and deep-rooted love that audiences have for Disney's characters and stories is something that simply cannot be replicated by competitors like Netflix (and certainly YouTube).
While customers might be able to create their own Minion shorts on Peacock, they will only be able to create with their favorite Disney characters on Disney+.
A Harmonious Coexistence with Traditional Content Creation
Viewing the rise of AI as a threat to traditional content creation misses the broader picture. This new medium should not be seen as a doomsday for the creators who have long been the backbone of Disney's storytelling history.
Instead, it represents an additional layer of interaction and creativity, allowing audiences to engage with their favorite universes in more personalized and imaginative ways. Far from replacing human creativity, AI-generated content could augment it, offering tools that put the power of creation into the hands of fans, thereby fostering a deeper connection with the content they love.
This will take time and attention, so it’s important to start early
While the trajectory of AI development is accelerating faster than anyone is prepared for, crossing the final threshold into full optimization and refinement—the leap from 90% to 100%—will be exceedingly challenging.
This final push towards perfection, where Disney would aim to position itself, requires not just time but a deep integration of AI technologies with creative processes, an understanding of audience engagement through data, and a nuanced approach to storytelling that only comes from prolonged experimentation and learning.
Starting early ensures that Disney can navigate these complexities at a measured pace, allowing for the cultivation of expertise and the development of proprietary AI tools and methodologies that align with its history of storytelling excellence.