Sanjay Gupta of Google has argued a convincing case for the domination of Asia-Pacific in the future of world narration, positioning artificial intelligence like the “magic wand” which will transform the already falsified media landscape of the region.
Speaking during the Apos conference in Indonesia, the president of Google Apac opened his speech with a striking example of the creative potential of AI: collaboration between Google, Warner Bros. Discovery and other partners to bring “The Wizard of Oz” to the sphere in Las Vegas. The classic Technicolor of 1939, initially shot in an appearance report 4: 3 with 35 mm cameras, required an “incredible collaboration, underpinned by technology” involving “thousands of researchers, producers, programmers from the world of cinema and technology” on the scale of the video screen 16K of the place.
“For me, the real magic was the ability to create digital images, to extend the gunshots beyond what was originally in the context,” said Gupta. “What was unthinkable just a few years ago is now an amazing reality.”
GUPTA painted an image of an unprecedented opportunity for Asian storytellers, citing dramatic changes in consumption and creation of content. While “The Wizard of Oz” took 17 years to spend theaters on television and another 24 years to reach Houses on VHS, today’s digital tools have created “instant” global connections.
The figures are amazing: more than 20 million videos are downloaded daily on YouTube around the world, with creators like Justin Tobias of Indonesia, amassing more than 15 million subscribers and 6.7 billion views – “a scale that was unthinkable in this region probably a decade”, according to GUPTA.
Asia’s consumption patterns have evolved equally. The average person in Asia is now looking at more than seven hours of stories per day on 5 billion screens – against 2 billion screens only ten years ago. “We are looking for stories designed for travel consumption,” noted Gupta, highlighting everything, dramatic shorts at the games.
Google’s executive highlighted the role of AI as an increase tool rather than replacing human creativity. He presented the use by director Darren Aronofsky of AI tools to capture difficult plans like “a hand of a day for a day, hold the finger of a mother or show himself inside the human body and film the formation of cells”.
Another example presented Toonsutra using AI to reach new audiences by allowing a real -time translation of films in “1000 different languages with the synchronization of the right lips for each character”, effectively removing traditional barriers to consumption.
“This room, the storyteller, I think, are the wizards, if you want, and the AI is a magic wand,” said Gupta.
GUPTA identified two key factors by positioning Asia at the forefront of the future of the world narration. First, the demography of the region: “50% of the world’s population, 60% of young worlds” which are “young and open to experimentation” with emerging technologies.
Most importantly, he highlighted the “deep culture of narration” of Asia ranging from traditional forms of Indonesia to Japan Kabuki, Ramayana to modern anime, k-dramas and web series. “The creativity of this region draws attention around the world today,” he said, noting that more people look at K-Dramas outside of Korea than in the country, while India produces content consumed worldwide for more than 45 billion hours on YouTube.
Despite the creative momentum, Gupta sees a massive unexploited potential. Asia currently contributes only 15% to world media income, which suggests “a strong height for us to grow and capture”. Regional media and entertainment activities, although evaluated at $ 60 billion and growing, could develop considerably with the integration of AI.
“This is a movement for the media industry in Asia,” said Gupta. “AI, combined with the ingenuity, dynamism and the rich narration of this region and the large population will turn creativity.”
During a conversation on the edge of the later fire with the Moderator Vivek Couto, executive director and co-founder, Media Partners Asia, which organizes Apos, Gupta recognized two primary concerns of industry concerning the adoption of AI: talent management and creativity protection.
“I think we have to consider AI as an excellent tool, which increases our business. It is a complementary module, it’s a plus,” he said. By establishing parallels with past technological disturbances, he referred to the way in which the music industry initially feared digital transformation but finally prospered. “The power of how we can work together between stakeholders, to make sure that we are able to protect this creativity and help make it prospering is an opportunity,” he said.
Gupta concluded his remarks with a challenge to media professionals gathered: “If something is possible, what would you create and how would you transform your business with the magic wand of AI?”
