Senator Blackman: AI a major player in film industry

Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Senator Chad Blackman, is encouraging prospective filmmakers to grasp the opportunities that will transform the industry through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

He made the suggestion on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) three-day workshop, under the theme: Building Resilience through South-South Cooperation and Targeted Policy Strategies, at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa.

He shared the example of film-maker Tyler Perry who halted his plans to invest US$800 million to expand his film production company because “filmmakers can now create first-class, world-class movies through artificial intelligence”.

Blackman said this demonstrated that there was a shift in the film production market, and he encouraged Barbadians to use AI technology to tell their own stories.

“What he (Tyler Perry) has realised is that there is a major restructuring in the market vis-a-vis AI. Whatever you can think about, you can now create.  You do not have to necessarily go through a big production company, taking millions of dollars to produce a film; you just need the tools and being able to conceive [the idea]. Therefore, it calls for greater imagination of what the sector looks like, telling our stories and [looking for ways] to get our stories across different markets.

“What that will do invariably is to create a demand for Barbadian goods…. We have a history of being world-class in terms of sports and music…. There is nothing stopping Barbados from positioning itself through movies, films, and sitcoms, and being seen as a country that offers solutions that are backed by research and development,” he suggested.

Given this new technological revolution, the Minister suggested that the traditional way of thinking must “go through the door”, adding that AI presented tremendous opportunities. He called for a greater understanding of the change needed to effect this.

“Where is the world going and how do we reposition Barbados through our educational system, through our business and private sector, and exposing our people and young people to a new reality?” Senator Blackman queried.

The workshop, which concludes on Thursday, is organised by the Government of Barbados, UNCTAD, and The UWI, and funded by China Aid for Shared Future.

(BGIS)