AI in Media: A Potential Goldmine with Ethical Considerations
AI holds immense potential for the media and entertainment industry, but it also presents ethical challenges, according to Rich Welsh, Senior VP of Innovation at Deluxe and President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
At the HPA Tech Retreat, Welsh highlighted the urgency of AI legislation, stating, "Creative work belongs to its creator. But can we protect it effectively without recourse to defend its ownership?"
Welsh emphasized the value of vast archives owned by media companies. "We generate significant information in creating TV shows, movies, and commercials, but much of it remains inaccessible or is discarded," he said. This data presents an opportunity that can be leveraged through proper tagging and rights management.
AI companies require access to this data to train their models, Welsh noted. However, he cautioned that accessing the data is often a challenge. He urged the industry to think beyond the movie itself and explore alternative uses for archived content, including retail, the metaverse, and virtual experiences.
Welsh stressed the ethical implications of AI, advising attendees to consider the downstream applications of their data. "Value your content by valuing the data that trains AIs," he said, reiterating the importance of ethical considerations in the use of AI in the industry.