James Cameron, known for directing iconic films like Terminator and other major Hollywood hits, has become a member of the board at Stability AI.
This decision is unexpected, especially since Cameron has previously raised concerns about the risks artificial intelligence poses to humanity.
It will also be intriguing to observe the reaction from the actors’ union, which has been vocal in opposing the use of generative AI in film and television.
Stability AI, the company behind the Stable Diffusion text-to-image models, announced Cameron’s appointment in a recent post.
“James Cameron is ahead of his time, waiting for the rest of us to follow,” remarked CEO Prem Akkaraju.
“At Stability AI, our aim is to revolutionize visual media for the coming century by providing creators with a comprehensive AI pipeline to realize their visions.”
“Having a technological and creative visionary like James in key leadership positions gives us a unique advantage in reaching this objective.”
It seems a bit ironic for Cameron to join a generative AI company, especially one focused on visual media rather than a company like OpenAI.
The rogue AI Skynet from Terminator is often referenced as a fictional warning of what might occur if humanity loses control over a powerful artificial intelligence.
In a 2023 interview with CTV, Cameron brought up The Terminator when discussing the risks associated with AI.
“I warned everyone back in 1984, the year The Terminator was released, and nobody paid attention,” he remarked.
“The biggest threat lies in the weaponization of AI. I believe we are heading toward a scenario akin to a nuclear arms race with artificial intelligence. If we don’t develop it, others undoubtedly will, leading to an escalation.”
Cameron has previously highlighted the threat posed by a Skynet-like system utilizing deepfakes to turn people against one another, potentially leading to humanity’s extinction.
However, it appears that the director’s views on AI have evolved, as he now focuses on its applications in film visuals.
Throughout my career, I have pursued emerging technologies that expand the limits of what’s achievable, all to tell extraordinary stories.
I was a pioneer of CGI over thirty years ago, and I’ve continued to remain at the forefront of innovation ever since, he stated.
“The merging of generative AI and CGI image creation represents the next frontier. The combination of these two distinct creative engines will open up innovative avenues for artists to convey stories in ways we have yet to envision.
Stability AI is positioned to spearhead this change. I’m excited to work alongside Sean, Prem, and the Stability AI team as they redefine the future of visual media.”
Similar to many generative AI companies, Stability AI is currently facing a class-action lawsuit that claims it trained its AI models using copyrighted materials.
The company is also grappling with the resignation of its founder and former CEO, Emad Mostaque, who stepped down in March, alongside three key engineers.
Cameron’s appointment occurs during a strike by the Screen Actors Guild concerning the use of generative AI in video games.
This technology has become a contentious issue within the industry and was a significant factor in last year’s SAG-AFTRA strike.
Cameron’s appointment to the Stability AI board is celebrated by many AI enthusiasts as a groundbreaking decision, signaling the film industry’s increasing acceptance of this technology.
Conversely, numerous critics argue that Cameron is disregarding his own previous warnings and suggest that his motivations may be solely financial.
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