- 6/21/2025
#AI
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LearningTranscript
00:00Hey, everyone. You know how AI is everywhere these days? Well, get this. It's even changing
00:06how movies are made. It really is. And today we're going to like dive deep into this whole
00:12world of AI and deep fakes in Hollywood. Sounds fascinating. Yeah. So we've been doing a ton
00:17of research on this and like what starts out as the super cool technology. Right. It kind
00:23of turns into this question of like, can we actually believe anything we see on screen
00:27anymore? That's the big question, isn't it? It is. And like we found some crazy examples
00:32of how studios are using AI to bring back actors who have passed away. Oh, wow. And
00:37like making stars look decades younger. It's pretty mind blowing, but also a little creepy
00:42if you think about it. Yeah, for sure. There's definitely a creepy element to it. And then
00:45you've got like the whole dark side of this technology. Like what about fake celebrity
00:50endorsements or videos that could totally like manipulate public opinion? Exactly. So
00:55let's break it all down. Sounds good. Okay. So first off, Hollywood is already like knee
00:59deep in this tech. Oh, absolutely. I mean, think about the Irishman. Remember that? Oh,
01:04yeah. They used AI to make Robert De Niro and Al Pacino look like their younger selves. Yeah,
01:09it was incredible. It was like a game changer for the industry. It really was. I remember
01:13like my jaw dropping when I saw that. I know it's crazy to think about. It makes you wonder
01:18like, will they ever need to hire young actors again? Well, that's the question, isn't it? I mean,
01:23the possibilities are kind of endless with this technology. Right. Okay. So there's more than
01:27just de-aging, right? What about bringing back actors who've passed away? Yeah, that's another
01:30big one. Like Carrie Fisher as Leia in those later Star Wars films? Mm-hmm. That was a deep fake.
01:37Really? They brought her back using AI after she passed away. Wow. And what about young Luke
01:41Skywalker in The Mandalorian? Same thing. That was a deep fake too. Hold on. So bringing back actors who
01:47are no longer with us. Yeah. Doesn't that feel kind of wrong? Like where do we draw the line with
01:52respecting their legacy? I mean, that's where the ethical debate really gets heated, right? Yeah.
01:58Is it a tribute or is it exploitation? Especially since these actors can't consent to how their
02:04likeness is being used? It's a tough one for sure. It is. And it's not just limited to movies either.
02:09What do you mean? We're talking about fake interviews, speeches, even endorsements flooding
02:15the internet. Oh yeah. Imagine seeing your favorite celebrity seemingly backing a product they'd never
02:21actually endorse. I can see how that would be a problem. Yeah. And the tech is only getting better
02:26too. Voice cloning is so good now that you could have anyone saying anything. So basically we can't
02:31trust any video we see online anymore. It makes you question everything, doesn't it? Yeah. Like you
02:36almost have to become a detective just to figure out what's real and what's not. Right. So are we
02:41all just going to be squinting at our screens trying to spot the fakes from now on? Well, in a way,
02:46yeah. But there's another layer to this whole thing too. What's that? If studios can just recreate
02:52an actor's likeness, who owns those digital rights? That's a good question. Could they theoretically make
02:58movies starring a digital copy of an actor? Even if the actor themselves disagreed. That's kind of scary.
03:04Like they'd be owning someone's digital soul or something. Yeah. It's a weird thought for sure.
03:09And to make matters worse, AI is advancing at an alarming pace. It feels like we're in this like
03:14arms race, right? Totally. You've got the deepfake creators on one side and then the people trying
03:19to detect them on the other. Exactly. It's a constant cat and mouse game. So what are the studios doing
03:24to keep up? Well, they're not just sitting back. They're exploring ways to control this tech.
03:30Like what? One idea is watermarking AI-generated content. Watermarking? Like, how does that work?
03:37So think of it like a digital signature that's embedded within the video itself. Okay. It's
03:42invisible to the human eye, but detection software can pick it up. Ah, so it's like a secret code that
03:48proves it's the real deal. Exactly. It's a way to confirm the authenticity of the content. That's
03:52clever. But what about detecting deepfics that are already out there? Is there any way to spot those?
03:57Yeah, there's a lot of work being done on deepfake detection tools. Really? Even companies like Adobe
04:02are getting involved. What are they doing? They're using AI to analyze videos for telltale signs of
04:08manipulation. So it's like AI fighting AI. Exactly. It's kind of ironic, isn't it? Yeah. But can we
04:14really trust these tools to catch every deepfake out there? I mean, they seem to be getting more and
04:19more sophisticated. That's the million dollar question. Isn't it? Is it a losing battle? It feels like
04:25it could be. Some people argue that Hollywood should just embrace deepfakes, but set some
04:31strict rules to control their use. Okay, so like regulate it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. But
04:36others think a complete ban is the only way to protect ourselves. It's a tough call. It
04:41really is. But let's like pause here for a second and just think about this. Okay. You're sitting
04:46down to watch a movie, right? And you can't tell if the actor you're seeing is real or a digital
04:51creation. Oh, that's a freaky thought. Right. It makes you wonder how would that change your
04:56experience of the movie? Would you still enjoy it the same way? Or would that lingering doubt
05:01kind of ruin the experience for you? I don't know. It's a strange feeling for sure. It almost feels
05:07like we're on the verge of this like new era of entertainment. I think we are. Where the lines
05:12between reality and fiction are just completely blurred. And we have no way of knowing what's real
05:18anymore. Exactly. And that's what makes this whole deepfake thing so fascinating, but also
05:22kind of terrifying. Yeah. It's both exciting and unsettling at the same time. Like we've fallen
05:28down the rabbit hole. Right. But okay, let's be real for a second. Most of us aren't like experts in
05:33CGI or AI or any of that stuff. Right. So like how do we protect ourselves from being fooled by these
05:40deepfakes? Well, the good news is you don't need a degree in computer science to spot a deepfake.
05:44Oh, that's good to hear. It really comes down to just using your common sense and thinking
05:48critically. Okay. So like be a little more skeptical. Exactly. We need to become more
05:53discerning consumers of information, especially online. Especially with all the videos floating
05:59around. Exactly. Videos are tricky because they can be so convincing. So we need to be more like
06:03detectives looking for clues that something's off. Exactly. What kind of clues should we be looking
06:09for? Well, paid attention to the details like are there any inconsistencies in the video? Does
06:14the lighting seem weird? How about the facial movements? Do they look natural? I see what
06:18you mean. And always consider the source. Is this video coming from a reputable news outlet
06:24or just some random person on social media? Yeah, that makes sense. You mentioned facial
06:28movements earlier. I did. Can you tell me a bit more about how these deepfake detection tools
06:33actually work? I mean, how do they spot those fake faces? Well, from what I understand, many
06:38of these tools are trained to analyze micro expression. Micro expression. Yeah, those tiny
06:44little movements in our faces that we barely even notice ourselves. Oh, right. The subtle
06:49stuff that betrays our true emotions. Exactly. And deepfakes often have trouble replicating those
06:54subtleties perfectly. I see. So the detection tools pick up on those inconsistencies. Exactly.
07:00It's like they're reading the actor's tales just like a poker player. Wow. That's pretty
07:04incredible. It is. But as you said, this technology is evolving super fast. Yeah, it's moving at
07:08lightning speed. Are there any laws in place yet to regulate the use of deepfakes? That's a great
07:14question. And honestly, the legal system is struggling to keep up. Makes sense. I mean, it's
07:19such a new technology. Exactly. Some lawmakers are pushing for laws to make the malicious use of
07:25deepfakes a crime. Like using them to spread disinformation or harm someone's reputation. Right.
07:31But it gets tricky because defining what counts as malicious use is really difficult. Yeah,
07:37because there are legitimate uses for this technology too. Absolutely. It's like any tool
07:42that can be used for good or bad. So it all comes down to human intention. Exactly. The technology
07:47itself is neutral. It's all about how we humans choose to use it. Okay. So we've talked a lot about
07:53the potential dangers of deepfakes. We have. But what about the flip side? What about the positive
07:58ways this technology could be used in the film industry? Oh, there are definitely some exciting
08:02possibilities. Like what? Well, one big one is making special effects more accessible to
08:07independent filmmakers. That's a great point. Creating realistic CGI is incredibly expensive
08:12and time consuming. It can be a real barrier for smaller studios. Exactly. But with deepfake
08:19technology, filmmakers could potentially achieve similar effects on a much smaller budget.
08:24So it could level the playing field in a way? Yeah, it could democratize filmmaking,
08:28giving smaller creators the tools to compete with the big studios. But even with all these
08:33potential benefits, there's still this nagging feeling that something is being lost. I know what
08:38you mean. This whole idea of authenticity and performance. It makes you question what it even
08:43means to be an actor anymore. Right. If anyone can be made to say or do anything on screen,
08:49does that diminish the craft of acting? It definitely blurs the lines and it raises interesting
08:53questions about authorship too. How so? Well, who's really responsible for the performance in a
08:58deepfake? Hmm. Is it the actor, the AI, or the person who created the deepfake? Yeah. It's a mind
09:04boggling concept. It is. And it makes you wonder how audiences will react to all of this. Will we
09:10still connect with characters on an emotional level if we know they're not real? That's a fascinating
09:15question. It is. I think it's possible we might develop a new kind of appreciation for deepfake
09:20performances. Interesting. So instead of seeing it as a threat to human actors, we might start
09:27recognizing deepfakes as a unique art form in their own right. Exactly. Just like we appreciate
09:32animation or puppetry, we might come to appreciate the artistry and technical skill involved in creating
09:40a believable deepfake. So instead of replacing human actors, deepfakes might actually create a whole
09:46new category of performance. It's possible we might even see the rise of hybrid films. Hybrid films?
09:52What's that? Movies where real actors share the screen with AI-generated characters, blending the
09:58real and the virtual seamlessly. Can you give me an example? Imagine a historical drama where a modern
10:03actor plays alongside a digitally resurrected historical figure. Now that would be something
10:08to see. But it also raises the question of whether it would be even harder to distinguish reality
10:12from fiction. Wouldn't that further erode our trust in what we see on screen? Yeah. It's a valid
10:17concern. And this is where transparency becomes super important. If filmmakers are using deepfake
10:23technology, they have an ethical obligation to be upfront about it. So they need to tell the audience,
10:28hey, this isn't entirely real. Exactly. Let the audience know what they're seeing is not entirely real.
10:33It's almost like we need a whole new set of rules for this new era of filmmaking. I think we do. A new code
10:39of ethics for the digital age. Exactly. And this is a conversation that needs to involve everyone.
10:43From the filmmakers and studios to the actors and, of course, the audience. Right. We need to decide
10:49collectively what we're comfortable with and where we draw the line. Because ultimately it's the viewers
10:54who have the power. That's right. If we demand transparency and ethical practices, the industry
10:59will have to listen. They will because they need us to buy tickets and watch their movies. But here's a thought.
11:05What if this technology goes beyond just recreating actors we know?
11:10Okay. I'm listening. What if AI starts creating entirely new digital actors from scratch?
11:15That's a pretty wild thought, isn't it? It is. Imagine a future where movie stars aren't human
11:22at all, but are entirely digital creations. Would we get attached to those digital personas
11:28in the same way we do with real actors? I don't know. It's a strange thing to think about.
11:33It is, but it's not that far-fetched when you think about it.
11:37I guess you're right. I mean, we already have virtual influencers on social media with millions
11:41of followers. Exactly. And those are completely digital creations.
11:45It's true. The lines are already starting to blur.
11:48They are. And it makes you wonder, what does it even mean to be human in a world where technology
11:53can create such realistic simulations of ourselves?
11:57It's a lot to think about, that's for sure.
11:59It is. And I think it's a conversation we need to be having now before this technology
12:04completely changes everything. Before it reshapes the world of entertainment as we know it.
12:08Exactly. It really is a whole new world, isn't it? We're talking about AI creating digital actors,
12:14blurring the lines between real and fake. Like, it's mind-blowing. But what happens to human actors
12:20then? Are they going to go extinct? That's the big question everyone in Hollywood's asking,
12:24right? It makes sense. I mean, some actors are definitely worried that AI is going to take
12:28their jobs. I can see why. And honestly, from a studio's perspective, digital actors are pretty
12:34tempting. How so? Well, think about it. No more complicated contracts, no more scheduling nightmares,
12:40and definitely no diva demands to deal with. Yeah, that's true. Imagine the possibilities,
12:46though. Right. You could have literally any actor, dead or alive, starring in your movie.
12:52It's true. You could even create a whole cast of characters from scratch, totally tailored to the
12:57script. And what about the stunts and special effects? Oh, yeah. Digital actors wouldn't need
13:02stunt doubles. So you could create these crazy action sequences without putting anyone in actual
13:07danger. Exactly. It's like the ultimate CGI, but with a human touch. Okay, but wouldn't we lose
13:13something in the process? What do you mean? Can a digital actor really capture the essence of a
13:18human performance? That's the big debate, right? Can AI really replicate the nuance, the vulnerability,
13:24the raw emotion that a great human actor brings to a role. Right. It's not just about hitting your
13:30marks and saying the lines. That's about those subtle things. Like what? The tiny flicker of an
13:34eye, a slight tremble of the lip. The way an actor reacts in the moment to their scene partner.
13:40Yeah, all of those things that make a performance feel real and authentic. And let's not forget the
13:45imperfections. What do you mean? The little flaws that make a character feel human and relatable.
13:49You're right. Those imperfections are what make us human. And that's where AI still struggles.
13:56How so? Deepfakes, they tend to be too perfect. Too polished. Yeah, almost robotic in their precision.
14:03So you're saying there's still hope for us fleshy actors? Now at least. But what about the future?
14:08I mean, AI is constantly learning and evolving. It is. Is it possible that one day we won't be able
14:14to tell the difference between a digital performance and a human one? It's definitely a possibility.
14:18Yeah. As AI gets more sophisticated, it might be able to learn and mimic those subtle nuances of
14:25human emotion that it can't quite grasp yet. You're saying we might get to a point where
14:30digital actors are indistinguishable from human ones. We might. And that's both exciting and
14:35terrifying at the same time. I can see that. Imagine watching a movie and not knowing if you're
14:40connecting with a real person or a complex algorithm. It really challenges our whole idea of
14:46what it means to be human. It makes you think about consciousness and artificial intelligence
14:50in a whole new way. Right. Like if a digital actor can evoke genuine emotions in an audience,
14:58does that mean the AI is becoming sentient? Now we're getting into some deep philosophical
15:02territory. We are. But let's bring it back down to earth for a second. Okay. Let's say you're at the
15:07movies, right? And you know that the actors in the film are digital creations. Would that change how you
15:14watch the movie? Would you still get invested in the story in the same way? That's the question,
15:19isn't it? Will audiences be able to suspend their disbelief when they know the actors aren't real?
15:23It might depend on the movie, I guess. What do you mean? Like maybe for those big action
15:28blockbusters where the focus is on special effects and explosions? Maybe it wouldn't matter as much if
15:33the actors were digital. I see what you're saying. But what about those more intimate character-driven
15:38stories? Yeah, that's where it gets tricky. Could a digital actor really pull off the complexities
15:43of human relationships? The heartbreak, the joy,
15:47the full spectrum of human emotion. That's a challenge for even the most talented human actors.
15:54Could AI really reach that level? It's hard to say. This whole conversation just makes me think
15:59about the future of storytelling in general. I know, it's a lot to consider. If AI can create
16:04realistic digital actors and maybe even write scripts one day, what does that mean for human
16:10creativity in filmmaking? Will AI become like a partner in the creative process?
16:15A tool to help us tell stories in new and exciting ways. Exactly. Or will AI eventually take over
16:22completely and become the sole author of our entertainment? That's a little scary to think
16:27about a world where we're just watching movies directed by algorithms and starring digital beings.
16:32I know it's a little unsettling, but maybe that's just our human bias talking. Maybe we need to be more
16:36open-minded about the possibilities. Exactly. Because technology itself isn't good or bad.
16:41It's all about how we choose to use it. And who knows, maybe AI could lead to all sorts of new
16:46creative possibilities and storytelling that we haven't even thought of yet.
16:50That's true. So we've covered a lot of ground today. We have.
16:53We started with de-aging actors and ended up questioning the very nature of consciousness.
16:59It's been quite a journey. It has a wild ride through the world of deepfakes and Hollywood.
17:03What began as a technical discussion quickly turned into this deep philosophical exploration
17:09of what it means to be human in a world that's increasingly shaped by AI.
17:15And that's what makes this topic so fascinating and so important to talk about.
17:18I agree.
17:19So as we wrap up this deep dive, we want to leave you with this.
17:22Okay.
17:22The future of entertainment is being written right now and it's up to all of us to decide what
17:26role AI will play in it.
17:28We have a choice to make.
17:29Will we embrace these new technologies or will we resist them?
17:32And ultimately, who will be in control, humans or the machines we create?
17:37It's a big question.
17:38It is.
17:38And one that we all need to be thinking about.
17:41Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the world of AI and deepfakes in Hollywood.
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