In a recent episode of The AI XR Podcast, veteran filmmaker Alan Lasky shared his unique perspective on the intersection of Hollywood, artificial intelligence, and big tech’s deepening influence on the entertainment industry. Having spent three months in the Australian desert making what he describes as the worst movie of his career, Lasky now advises investment banks on the future of media and AI.
Lasky argues that major tech companies are buying into Hollywood not just for content, but for soft power—using film and AI to shape cultural narratives. He points out that as sound stages sit empty, these giants are investing heavily in AI-driven production tools that could democratize filmmaking but also centralize control.
The podcast, hosted by Charlie Fink of Forbes, Ted Schilowitz of Red Camera and Fox, and Magic Leap founder Rony Abovitz, covers topics from Amazon’s acquisition of global content to Apple’s AI audio glasses and Snap’s layoffs as it pivots to see-through glasses. A central theme is that Hollywood is no longer the center of the entertainment universe, and many in the industry have yet to confront this shift.
Lasky emphasizes that AI can now produce live-action-looking content for a few hundred dollars per minute, lowering barriers for independent creators while threatening traditional production models. The conversation underscores how big tech’s embrace of AI in film is reshaping power dynamics, leaving established Hollywood players scrambling to adapt.