Remember when AI was the savior of creativity in entertainment? It’s been a wild ride through 2025, with the film and music industries navigating an uncomfortable relationship with artificial intelligence. The year began with alarm bells ringing about AI’s potential to stifle creativity and ended with Disney’s staggering $1 billion investment in OpenAI for its new video generator, Sora. It begs the question: was this partnership worth the risks? Spoiler alert: things are complicated.
Hollywood’s AI Experimentation
The film industry spent much of 2025 tiptoeing around AI, caught between excitement and resistance. Disney’s hefty investment in OpenAI and its licensing agreement for Sora raised eyebrows, especially at a time when actors were still grappling with the implications of AI on their craft. It was a precarious balancing act.
And let’s not forget Tilly Norwood, the AI-generated “actress” who sparked a firestorm of controversy. Introduced at the Zurich Film Festival, Tilly was created by Eline Van der Velden’s company Particle6. The backlash was immediate, with SAG-AFTRA firmly stating Tilly “is not an actor.” The criticism highlighted concerns over AI composites that mimic artists without consent or compensation, a sentiment echoed by voices like Whoopi Goldberg.
Yet, Tilly’s debut in the sketch “AI Commissioner” fell flat, receiving harsh reviews for its lack of humor and authenticity. Despite racking up over 700,000 views, it seemed the industry learned that technical precision doesn’t guarantee captivating storytelling. The spotlight then shifted to two notable Oscar contenders, ‘The Brutalist’ and Emilia Pérez, both of which utilized AI for performance enhancement. This led to intense debates over the authenticity of human performances during awards season, forcing the Academy to consider mandatory AI disclosures for future submissions.
The Music Industry’s Chaotic Landscape
When it comes to music, the embrace of AI has been even messier. Unlike film, where AI acts as an enhancer, AI in music can create entire tracks in seconds. A recent Deezer and Ipsos study revealed that 97% of listeners couldn’t tell the difference between AI-generated and human-made music. This revelation left many feeling uneasy about the implications for musicians and their livelihoods.
2025 saw the rise of AI-driven platforms like Suno and Udio, allowing users to generate complete songs with just a few prompts. While some hailed this as a democratization of music production, many artists felt threatened. Lucas Woodland from the band Holding Absence referred to AI-generated projects as “shocking” and “disheartening.” Major labels initially fought against AI but started signing deals with platforms like Suno and Udio, recognizing the inevitability of AI’s role in music.
Despite AI-generated music currently accounting for only about 0.5% of streams on platforms like Deezer, the market is shifting rapidly. Projections suggest the AI music sector could skyrocket from $5.2 billion in 2024 to $60.44 billion by 2034. This growth isn’t just on the fringes; it’s set to reshape the entire industry.
What’s at Stake?
So, what have Hollywood and the music industry truly gained from this dalliance with AI? For filmmakers, the year brought a few efficiency gains in processes like post-production and visual effects, but no AI film has struck a cultural chord. In music, AI has disrupted traditional paradigms, allowing anyone with a laptop to produce high-quality tracks. But this shift raises existential questions: if AI can whip up songs in moments, what does that mean for artists who honed their skills for years?
Neither industry wants to confront the reality that they’re caught in a double bind. They crave the ease and cost savings AI offers while neglecting the potential threat to the human labor that fuels their success. When Disney pours a billion into OpenAI while actors fight to safeguard their roles, or when labels support AI platforms that challenge their artists’ livelihoods, the contradictions become glaring. Corporations might protect their interests, but the human element is often an afterthought.
For a deeper look into the impact of technology on these industries, check out technology. Additionally, OpenAI’s official site provides insights into their ongoing projects.
