In a landmark move for Hollywood, Lionsgate has become the first major studio to integrate artificial intelligence into its production pipeline. The studio has partnered with AI startup Runway, allowing its vast 20,000-title film and TV library to be mined for AI-driven content creation. This strategic decision underscores the growing influence of AI in the entertainment industry and how it could reshape filmmaking in the years ahead.

Runway’s cutting-edge tools, which played a key role in the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, caught the attention of Lionsgate executives. The studio saw AI’s potential to streamline visual effects, automate post-production processes, and significantly cut costs. Vice chair Michael Burns sees AI as a game-changer that can help balance production budgets, making ambitious projects more financially viable.

“It’s the Wild West,” says Burns. “We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve and figure out where the puck is going as opposed to where it’s been.”

Lionsgate’s embrace of AI signals a major shift in Hollywood’s approach to technology. Traditionally, AI has been met with skepticism, particularly by creatives concerned about automation’s impact on jobs. However, Lionsgate is positioning AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity. By leveraging AI-generated effects and automation, the studio hopes to free up resources for storytelling and high-quality production, while still ensuring cost efficiency.

This move also raises questions about the future of AI in entertainment—will other studios follow suit, or will Lionsgate’s approach be met with resistance? Regardless, the studio has made its stance clear: AI is not just a futuristic concept, but a present-day asset that could redefine Hollywood’s business model.