LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 (GeokHub) — Amazon is moving to deploy artificial intelligence tools to accelerate the production of movies and television shows, betting that AI can reduce costs and streamline creative workflows even as Hollywood grapples with fears over job losses and long-term industry disruption.
At Amazon MGM Studios, veteran executive Albert Cheng is leading a newly formed unit focused on developing AI-driven production tools. The initiative, known internally as AI Studio, is scheduled to launch a closed beta program in March, with select industry partners invited to test the technology. Amazon expects early results by May.
Cheng described the unit as a small, fast-moving team operating under founder Jeff Bezos’ “two-pizza” philosophy, emphasizing agility and experimentation. The group is made up largely of engineers and scientists, supported by a smaller number of creative and business professionals.
Amazon’s push comes as production budgets for film and television continue to rise, limiting the number of projects studios can afford to finance. Executives say AI could help ease those pressures by speeding up certain technical processes while allowing creative talent to focus on storytelling.
“The cost of creating is so high that it really is hard to make more and it really is hard to take great risk,” Cheng said. “We fundamentally believe that AI can accelerate, but it won’t replace, the innovation and unique aspects that humans bring to the work.”
Hollywood has remained wary of artificial intelligence, with actors, writers and directors expressing concern that AI could replace jobs or erode creative control. Amazon said its tools are designed to support — not replace — writers, directors, actors and designers, who will remain involved at every stage of production.
The company’s embrace of AI coincides with broader cost-cutting efforts. Amazon has laid off roughly 30,000 corporate employees since October, including staff at Prime Video, as it pushes divisions across the company to integrate AI into operations.
According to Cheng, AI Studio is focused on bridging the gap between consumer-facing AI tools and the precise control required for cinematic production. Planned capabilities include maintaining character consistency across scenes, enhancing visual continuity, and integrating with industry-standard creative software.
Amazon is drawing on Amazon Web Services and plans to work with multiple large language model providers, giving creators flexibility across pre- and post-production. Cheng said protecting intellectual property and preventing studio content from being absorbed into external AI models is a core priority.
The studio is collaborating with producers and creators including Robert Stromberg, actor and producer Kunal Nayyar, and former Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic animator Colin Brady as it refines its tools.
Amazon has already begun experimenting with AI-assisted production. For the second season of its series House of David, director Jon Erwin combined AI-generated elements with live-action footage to expand large-scale battle scenes while keeping costs down.
