Filmmakers Urged to Prioritize Storytelling Amid AI Debate

Post by : Mina Rahman

At the BRIDGE Summit held in Abu Dhabi, a session led by Patrick Caligiuri, Media Advisor at the National Media Office, delved into the topic “Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Picture Business.” The conversation kicked off with a central question: which factors will influence the creation and consumption of films and series in the next ten years?

While panelists recognized the increasing incorporation of AI into development and post-production processes, filmmaker Harris issued a strong warning. “I am ideologically and philosophically against generative AI. It cannot produce anything without using someone else’s work, which on one level makes it theft,” he remarked.

Harris also pointed out the lack of regulatory frameworks around generative AI. “It’s surprising that everyone is rushing forward without any clear ethical guidelines or statement of intent on how we want to approach this. If we don’t address it soon, it may already be too late,” he added.

Referring to a video presented at the Summit’s opening ceremony, which depicted people sitting around a fire sharing stories, Harris emphasized the timeless value of oral storytelling and its importance for creators today.

“Ultimately, it all comes down to storytelling. If you have a story, start sharing it. Watching how your story connects with others—whether at a dinner table with friends or in other settings—guides how it can be transformed into visuals and eventually brought to the screen. That process is essential,” he said.

This discussion was part of the BRIDGE Summit’s vast lineup of more than 300 sessions, which wrapped up on Wednesday at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.