James Cameron, on a recent episode of the "Boz to the Future" podcast, asserted that the logistics of blockbuster filmmaking may be on the brink of revolution, with cost-effective Visual Effects (VFX) being a pivotal player. The Oscar winner shared he's exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can contribute to economic efficacy without eliminating industry jobs. In late 2024, Cameron revealed that he had become a part of the directorial board for Stability AI, the enterprise responsible for creating the textual-to-visual model, Stable Diffusion.

Reflecting on his decision to join the board of an established company instead of starting his own, Cameron stated, "Instead of creating a company from scratch, I decided to join the board of a reputable and competitive company with a proven track record." He further emphasized the pursuit of understanding and acclimatizing to the technological developments in the space rather than profit-making. His chief aim was to ascertain the focus of developers and the resources necessary for crafting a tailored model that fits seamlessly into a VFX workflow.

He also underlined the necessity of this technological incorporation. "To continue to manufacture the genre of movies I've always admired and aspired to produce, such as 'Dune' or my films teeming with CG-heavy effects, we need to navigate a way to slash the cost in half," he clarified. According to Cameron, this is not about severing workforce but enhancing the speed and efficiency of completion on any given project, increasing the cycle's rapidity and throughput, allowing artists more opportunities for variety.

Repeatedly, Cameron has voiced his skepticism about AI substituting jobs in Hollywood. He believes AI should aid in workload management rather than acting as a replacement for human creativity. In a prior interview with CTV News, he was doubtful regarding AI bots writing compelling, engaging stories and replacing screenwriters. For Cameron, an effective story requires human experience and emotions - a factor, he believes, AI bots lack.

He further asserted, "Unless an AI, in the next two decades, bags an Oscar for the best screenplay, they can't be deemed a serious contender." On generative AI, Cameron voiced his worries, discouraging users from giving daunting prompts like “in the style of James Cameron,” hinting at his distaste in such rip-offs.

Presently, Cameron is working on post-production for the forthcoming "Avatar" sequel, "Fire & Ash," scheduled to be released on December 19, and handled by Disney and 20th Century Studios. Listen to his comprehensive interview on "Boz to the Future" podcast.