The digital transformation of the film industry: How Artificial Intelligence is changing the seventh art

Abstract

Although artificial intelligence has played a dominant role in the digital transformation of many industries and has been the focus of multiple academic studies, only a few researchers have explored the impact of AI on the film industry, even after the advances in large language models like ChatGPT and generative AI tools such as Sora. Questions regarding how the use of AI has affected the core functions of the film industry's value chain (Creation, Production, Dissemination and Exhibition) have only been partially or inadequately explored. This paper intends to address this research gap by conducting a systematic literature review of 74 relevant articles based on the Webster & Watson methodology, to be followed by a conceptual analysis of AI-related themes in the film industry. Our findings reveal that artificial intelligence has long played a role in the film industry, and its influence has only grown with recent advancements in AI, having an impact across the film industry's value chain. We also highlight emerging ethical concerns, such as authorship, creative integrity, and labor displacement that accompany AI's expanding role. Whilst our work contributes to the body of research on AI in the film industry, we also identify potential avenues of research that allow room for future exploration.