AI Alarms: Tyler Perry Pauses $800M Studio Expansion Amid Worries About OpenAI’s Sora

Tyler Perry, the renowned filmmaker and entertainment mogul, has pressed pause on his ambitious $800 million studio expansion in Atlanta, revealing that his decision is fueled by growing apprehensions about the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on Thursday, Perry stressed the urgency of implementing regulations to navigate the potential repercussions of AI on the industry.

Perry pinpointed OpenAI’s text-to-video tool, Sora, as the catalyst for his decision to halt the studio expansion. “I have been watching AI very closely and watching the advancements very closely. All of that is currently and indefinitely on hold because of Sora and what I’m seeing,” he stated.

Despite incorporating AI in post-production for two of his upcoming films, Perry expressed concerns about the widespread automation that could result in job losses across various aspects of the filmmaking process. He highlighted the potential impact on actors, grip and electric teams, transportation, sound engineers, and editors, emphasizing that the entire industry could be affected.

While acknowledging AI’s capability to streamline filmmaking processes, Perry advocated for a balance that preserves jobs and values human contributions. “It makes me worry so much about all of the people in the business,” he said. Perry hopes that, as technology advances, there will be consideration and compassion for the countless individuals who have dedicated their careers to the industry.

Perry’s decision comes in the wake of his recent expansion of ties with Netflix, adding a multi-year, first-look series pact to his existing feature film pact. As he navigates the intersection of entertainment and technology, Perry’s call for regulations reflects a broader industry concern about the potential impact of AI on jobs and the human element in filmmaking.

Tyler Perry, the renowned filmmaker and entertainment mogul, has pressed pause on his ambitious $800 million studio expansion in Atlanta, revealing that his decision is fueled by growing apprehensions about the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on Thursday, Perry stressed the urgency of implementing regulations to navigate…