Today, Explained: AI Video Killed the Video Star

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Hosts: Sean Rameswaram & Noel King
Description: Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast, guiding listeners through the most important stories of the day.

Introduction to AI Video Advancements

The episode opens with a humorous take on the rapid advancements in generative AI. Joanna Stern introduces the topic by referencing Google's latest release of VO3 generative AI video technology, now enhanced with sound capabilities. She playfully questions the nature of AI creation with remarks like, “What do you think about the idea that we're just a bunch of prompts? [00:00]” setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of AI in video production.

Creating an AI-Generated Short Film

Joanna Stern, a personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal, collaborates with Gerard Cole, a seasoned audio and video producer, to create an AI-generated short film titled "Told to the Explain."

Gerard Cole explains the project’s inception:

“We started on this project probably at the end of March... every week there would be new tools that would come out.” [04:32]

The team utilizes Google's VO3 and Flow tools, which allow for more realistic video and integrated audio, marking a significant leap from previous AI video models. Gerard details the meticulous process of crafting the film, from generating digital characters using Midjourney to leveraging AI video generation tools like Runway and Google's VO3 for motion and audio. He notes the challenges faced due to the rapidly evolving AI landscape:

“This stuff is moving so fast that every night we'd go to sleep, we'd wake up in the morning, and there'd be a new AI video tool that we thought we should try.” [04:32]

Reception and Mixed Reactions

Upon releasing the AI-generated film, the creators encountered a polarized response. Gerard Cole shares the spectrum of feedback:

“A lot of people wrote in saying they were blown away... But then there was a very loud and vocal group that just hated this.” [08:37]

Positive reviews highlighted the realism and innovative use of AI, while critics on platforms like X and TikTok labeled the film as "nonsensical garbage" and "soulless." Notably, Devin Gordon reports some of the harshest critiques:

“This is an abomination and you should feel ashamed for making it.” [09:14]
“Absolute soulless. Shit.” [09:18]

Joanna Stern adds another layer by questioning the underlying issues:

“Because people don't let you know they're using AI.” [09:37]

AI's Impact on Hollywood

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of AI in the film industry. Devin Gordon references his piece for The New York Times Magazine titled "What if AI is Actually Good for Hollywood?" emphasizing the dual-edged nature of AI advancements:

“If you were listening to the discourse about AI in Hollywood, you would either hear that it was going to be the end of Hollywood... or it was going to be the greatest creative unlocking magical wand.” [14:49]

Gordon explores how companies like Metaphysic are integrating AI to enhance visual effects, allowing for feats like de-aging actors or creating photorealistic deepfakes. He recounts his experience witnessing AI’s potential firsthand:

“...AI technology... was central to the making of it.” [17:20]

Ethical Concerns and Industry Transformation

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the ethical implications and economic disruptions caused by AI in filmmaking. Gerard Cole highlights potential job impacts:

“The entire economics of the industry has to change... How they work and how they get compensated is going to radically transform.” [21:21]

Gordon underscores a class divide in AI adoption, where those most familiar with AI are often the most critical of its simplistic portrayals:

“They understand its limitations and also how to best use it... It just doesn't work without [the human mind].” [25:06]

Despite fears, there is optimism about AI democratizing filmmaking, lowering barriers to entry similarly to the digital filmmaking revolution of the 1990s. This could lead to an explosion of content creation, albeit with a transformed industry structure.

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of AI in Media

The episode wraps up with reflections on the dual nature of AI’s impact—both fear-inducing and liberating. Gerard Cole expresses ambivalence:

“What Joanna's film leaves me with is both fear and relief.” [25:06]

Joanna Stern encourages listeners to delve deeper into the topic by reading Devin Gordon’s article and watching the AI-generated short film:

“You can watch Joanna Stern's short film at WSJ.com or on YouTube where it's called 'we tested Google, VO and Runway to create this AI film.' [10:57]

The hosts conclude by acknowledging the human effort behind the podcast and inviting listeners to explore further while contemplating the evolving role of AI in media.

Notable Quotes:

• Gerard Cole [04:06]:
  “When I see the woman boxing with a robot, you hear grunting, you hear sounds of the robot's mechanics, you hear punching sounds. You hear all kinds of audio to make the scene come to life.”

• Joanna Stern [09:37]:
  “Because people don't let you know they're using AI.”

• Devin Gordon [14:49]:
  “If you were listening to the discourse about AI in Hollywood, you would either hear that it was going to be the end of Hollywood... or it was going to be the greatest creative unlocking magical wand.”

• Gerard Cole [21:21]:
  “The entire economics of the industry has to change... How they work and how they get compensated is going to radically transform.”

Final Thoughts:

"AI Video Killed the Video Star" delves into the transformative power of AI in video production, showcasing both its creative potential and the socio-economic challenges it presents. By highlighting real-world applications and expert insights, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of AI’s burgeoning role in the future of filmmaking and media consumption.