Amazon bets on AI studio to slash costs and speed up film making

SEATTLE: Amazon is rolling out a new artificial intelligence initiative at Amazon MGM Studios to accelerate film and television production, as soaring budgets squeeze output and the entertainment industry braces for disruption.

The company has set up an internal unit dubbed AI Studio, led by Albert Cheng, a veteran entertainment executive, to develop tools designed to cut costs and fast-track creative processes. A closed beta programme will launch in March with selected industry partners, with early results expected by May.

Cheng described the unit as a small, agile “startup” operating under founder Jeff Bezos’s “two pizza team” philosophy, made up largely of product engineers and scientists alongside a smaller creative and business group.

Amazon is publicly embracing AI to tackle the rising expense of producing shows and films, which has limited the number of projects studios can fund. Cheng said the technology would accelerate production but not replace human creativity, stressing that writers, directors, actors and designers would remain involved at every stage.

The move comes amid growing unease in Hollywood, with leading actors voicing fears that AI could erode jobs and reshape the industry.

Amazon has also been pushing AI adoption across its businesses following the largest layoffs in its history, cutting around 30,000 corporate roles since October, including positions at Prime Video. The company pointed to productivity gains from AI as one factor behind the restructuring.

At Amazon MGM Studios, the AI team is focusing on tools that bridge the gap between consumer AI applications and the precision required for cinematic production, including improving character consistency across scenes and integrating with industry-standard creative software.