Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight doesn't think AI is a 'technology we should fear' — but says it'll never replace the people who give movies their 'spirit and soul' | Tech Radar

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Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight doesn't think AI is a 'technology we should fear' — but says it'll never replace the people who give movies their 'spirit and soul'

Exclusive: 'It's a very interesting time for the industry and I don't know where it's going to go'

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Don't worry, no artificial intelligence was used in the making of Skeletor (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Masters of the Universe's director has had his say on AI use in the entertainment industry

Travis Knight says it shouldn't replace those who make movies and TV shows

However, it has it uses if it's implemented properly

Masters of the Universe's director has offered his opinion on the ongoing debate surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry.

Ahead of the new Amazon movie's release, Travis Knight exclusively told me that studios shouldn't use AI to replace those who, in his words, give movies their "spirit and soul".

However, Knight also suggested that AI could be beneficial to the wider business if those in charge of the world's biggest entertainment companies are "thoughtful and careful" about its application.

Masters of the Universe has plenty of visual effects, but none were made using AI tools (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Knight's comments come amid a watershed moment for the implementation of AI in the entertainment sector, other industries, and our wider society.

Indeed, as the nascent technology becomes an increasingly prevalent fixture in our everyday lives and governments struggle to fast-track legislation to keep the tech in check amid its ongoing proliferation, businesses across the globe are looking at ways to utilize it.

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That includes the world's biggest movie and TV makers like Amazon MGM Studios, the aka entertainment behemoth behind He-Man's latest big-screen adventure, and the studio that recently came under fire for announcing plans to make three new series for its Prime Video streaming platform via its newly-established Gen AI Creators' Fund.

With numerous other entertainment giants, including Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros., also exploring new avenues to use AI to make films and TV shows, as well as, in their words, "improve" the user experience on the best streaming services that they own, conversations about the technology will continue to dominate the news cycle for months and years to come.

Key among those discussions is whether AI will eventually replace the writers, artists, animators, directors, and various other creatives. Knight, though, believes it would be a dark day for the industry if such a scenario ever came to pass, even if he's not dead-set against AI having a role in some aspects of the moviemaking sector.

"To me, it's always about the amazing creatives who make movies," the man behind one of this year's new movies told me. "They're what gives movies their spirit and soul.

"And that's one of the things I love most about making movies," he continued. "You get all of these people together from all these different disciplines, and it's only that combination of people that could have told that story that way.

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AI can be a tool or it could be a crutch — and it's not something that that we used on this movie Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight

AI can be a tool or it could be a crutch — and it's not something that that we used on this movie

"Now, look, artificial intelligence can be a tool, or it could be a crutch — and it's not something that we used on this movie. I try to do stuff as much as I can practically. It's my background [in this industry], so I want to get as much stuff in camera as possible. We also used computer-generated imagery, a lot of simulations, and high-tech stuff to bring the movie to life in the best way, and I love that combination of the old school and practical kind of filmmaking with whatever new tech helps to tell the story that you're telling.

"It's a very interesting time for the industry, and I don't know where it's going to go," the sci-fi fantasy movie's director added. "I generally don't think this technology is something to fear, I just think it's something that we need to be thoughtful and careful around."

Masters of the Universe is out now in the UK, and launches in the US and other countries on Friday, June 5. Before you watch it, find out if it's worth seeing by reading my Masters of the Universe review.

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As Tech Radar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight doesn't think AI is a 'technology we should fear' — but says it'll never replace the people who give movies their 'spirit and soul' | TechRadar