In a major move to control the technology shaping its future content, Netflix has acquired InterPositive, an AI firm co-founded by actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck. While the streaming service hasn't disclosed terms, sources cited by Bloomberg value the transaction at up to $600 million. If accurate, this would place it just behind Netflix's $700 million purchase of the Roald Dahl Story Company as one of its most significant buys.

The deal's structure reportedly involves an initial cash payment below that headline figure, with the remainder contingent on InterPositive meeting certain performance milestones. The startup's technology assists editors and directors in the post-production process, tackling tasks like fixing visual continuity errors or refining scene details. It is not designed to create original content or use unauthorized footage.

This acquisition accelerates Netflix's direct investment in production-focused artificial intelligence. The company has previously employed generative AI for specific visual effects, such as in the Argentine series "The Eternaut." Netflix is not alone in this pursuit; Amazon is developing its own in-house AI teams for entertainment, and Disney has a partnership with OpenAI.

However, the industry's technological shift remains contentious. Many film professionals continue to voice apprehension about AI's impact on employment and question whether the companies building these tools adequately compensate the creators whose work often serves as training data.

Source: TechCrunch