Did You Notice the AI-Generated Scenes in This Netflix Show?
▼ Summary
– Netflix used AI to create part of a building collapse scene in its series *The Eternaut*, marking its first AI-generated content in an original show.
– Co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated AI tools made the VFX sequence 10 times faster and more budget-friendly than traditional methods.
– The AI-generated scene was seamless and hard to detect in real time, blending with real shots in the episode.
– Netflix has also experimented with AI in other areas, including a conversational search feature and generative AI ads.
– The use of AI in content creation (not just assistance) without viewer disclosure has raised concerns about transparency.
Netflix has quietly introduced AI-generated scenes into one of its original series, marking a significant shift in how streaming platforms create content. During a recent earnings call, co-CEO Ted Sarandos disclosed that artificial intelligence was used to produce a building collapse sequence in The Eternaut, a sci-fi drama set in Argentina. The revelation highlights how generative tools are reshaping production workflows, often without audiences even noticing.
Sarandos described AI as “an incredible opportunity” for filmmakers, emphasizing its ability to cut costs and accelerate post-production. The specific scene in question, which would have been prohibitively expensive to film or animate traditionally, was completed 10 times faster using AI-assisted visual effects. While the technology isn’t new to Hollywood, this marks Netflix’s first confirmed use of AI to generate footage rather than just enhance it.
What makes this development noteworthy isn’t just the technical achievement, it’s the lack of transparency. Most viewers wouldn’t spot the AI-generated frames unless they paused and scrutinized the brief, two-second sequence (found in Episode 6 at the 59:50 mark). Blended seamlessly with live-action shots, the collapsing building appears convincing in motion, though subtle imperfections become visible upon closer inspection.
Beyond content creation, Netflix has been exploring AI in other areas, from conversational search features to algorithm-driven ad campaigns. The platform’s gradual integration of these tools suggests a broader industry trend: AI is no longer just a behind-the-scenes assistant, it’s becoming an invisible collaborator in storytelling.
For those curious about the implications, the debate isn’t whether AI should be used, but how openly its role should be disclosed. As streaming giants push boundaries, the line between human creativity and machine-generated content continues to blur.
(Source: zdnet)
