Tyler Perry Halts $800M Studio Expansion Due to AI, Fearing Job Losses

*Tyler Perry is pumping the brakes on a $800M expansion of his Atlanta studio after becoming concerned over new artificial intelligence technology.

Perry, 54, had plans to expand the complex with 12 additional sound stages, but he’s reconsidering due to the introduction of OpenAI’s video generator, Sora.

Perry believes many people will lose their jobs in the film industry because of emerging AI tech.

“There’s got to be some sort of regulations in order to protect us. If not, I just don’t see how we survive,” the filmmaker said in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

“I had gotten word over the last year or so that this was coming, but I had no idea until I saw recently the demonstrations of what it’s able to do. It’s shocking to me,” Perry added. 

I don’t even know what to say…

These clips generated by OpenAI’s Sora model have me speechless.

We knew good AI text-to-video would come, but this quickly? Unreal.

We’re stepping into a new world.

Buckle up. pic.twitter.com/zP7b5fKw5x

— Mckay Wrigley (@mckaywrigley) February 15, 2024

Sora was developed by the creators of ChatGPT and was introduced in a limited capacity earlier this month. The tool is not yet available for public use.

“All of that [work] is currently and indefinitely on hold because of Sora,” Perry told THR.

According to Perry, the technology could eliminate the need to travel to locations and build sets. 

“I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me,” he said.

Perry urges the industry to work together to protect workers’ livelihoods, such as editors, sound specialists, and location managers.

“It can’t be one union fighting every contract every two or three years. I think that it has to be everybody, all involved in how do we protect the future of our industry because it is changing rapidly, right before our eyes,” he said.

Meanwhile, actress Natalie Portman recently shared her feelings about artificial intelligence in the film industry.

“I don’t know about ‘threat’ because it just feels like it’s another form that’s going to exist, which is always interesting for art, and who knows where it will take us,” she said in a new interview with Vanity Fair.

“But sure, there’s a good chance I won’t have a job soon,” Portman added.

READ MORE: Tyler Perry’s Abusive Father Refuses Chance to Clear the Air – Lashes Out at Documentary Film Crew | VIDEO

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