Ben Affleck Defends Proprietary AI as Filmmaking Tool for Animals

Affleck, who founded the AI firm InterPositive in 2022 before selling it to Netflix for $587 million this past March, insists that his implementation of the technology avoids the extractive pitfalls common in tech-driven media. He emphasizes that his production uses a proprietary dataset, intentionally shunning models trained on copyrighted material or the work of his peers. For the filmmaker, the goal is to integrate AI into existing guild-compliant workflows, ensuring that creators maintain control over their likeness and compensation.

During recent promotional appearances, the director likened his use of AI to a magic trick—something that should remain invisible to the audience to maintain the illusion of reality. He expressed skepticism toward the idea of prompt-based filmmaking, arguing that audiences have no appetite for art devoid of human intent. As he transitions into a senior advisor role at Netflix, Affleck is simultaneously moving forward with upcoming projects alongside Matt Damon, including the Formula One documentary Turbalance and the sports drama Flash Before the Bang.