Netflix acquires Ben Affleck’s AI film-tech firm

Netflix, opens new tab said on Thursday it has acquired InterPositive, a filmmaking technology company founded by Academy Award winner ​Ben Affleck that produces artificial intelligence-powered tools for movie ‌production.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The media industry is warming up to the idea of using AI for content ​and storytelling, a major pivot from Hollywood’s earlier ​concerns about the new technology challenging creative jobs and ⁠intellectual property rights.

Late last year, Disney announced plans to allow ​OpenAI to use characters from its Star Wars, Pixar ​and Marvel franchises in the startup’s Sora AI video generator.

“We believe new tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it or replace the ​work of writers, directors, actors, and crews,” Netflix Chief ​Content Officer Bela Bajaria said.

The acquisition is the streaming giant’s first ‌since backing ⁠out of a high-stakes race to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets after Paramount Skydance’s rival bid was deemed as superior.

Affleck, director and star of Oscar-winning film “Argo”, ​founded InterPositive in ​2022 by ⁠creating an AI model trained to understand visual logic and editorial consistency, while maintaining ​cinematic rules under real-world production challenges such as ​missing ⁠shots or incorrect lighting.

“We also built in restraints to protect creative intent, so the tools are designed for responsible exploration ⁠while ​keeping creative decisions in the hands ​of artists,” Affleck said.

Affleck will be joining Netflix as a senior advisor.