AI Awakened

"AI Awakened" is an enthralling short film that unfolds the journey of Matthew Blakemore, who transitions from harbouring a deep-seated fear of artificial intelligence to experiencing a profound enlightenment about its possibilities. Initially, Matthew's perception of AI is heavily influenced by historical films like Terminator, where AI is depicted as a malevolent force destined to overpower humanity. This portrayal feeds his anxieties, painting a grim picture of a future dominated by uncontrollable technology. The turning point in Matthew's journey occurs at the fictional 'Runway AI Conference' in London, a pivotal event that serves as the catalyst for his transformation. The conference illuminates the revolutionary potential of AI in the business world, showcasing applications that promise to transform industries, innovate products, and create unprecedented opportunities for growth and advancement. Through presentations, demonstrations, and engaging discussions, Matthew is introduced to AI's potential to be a force for good, driving progress and fostering innovation. As he delves deeper into the world of AI, Matthew's enlightenment is portrayed through his growing realisation of the technology's capacity to not only augment human abilities but also to empower society to tackle complex challenges, improve quality of life, and envision a future where technology and humanity coexist harmoniously. This awakening shifts his perspective from one of fear to one of fascination and hopeful anticipation. By the film's conclusion, Matthew has embraced the endless possibilities of AI, viewing it not as a threat but as a tool for positive transformation. "AI Awakened" leaves its audience contemplating the potential of AI to reshape our world, urging them to look beyond the fears perpetuated by dystopian narratives and to imagine a future illuminated by the beneficial collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence. --- How was it produced? I used a variety of AI techniques to bring my vision to life. I started with Large Language Models (LLMs) Open AI Chat GPT and Google Gemini for both generating and refining the script, ensuring a compelling narrative. These LLMs also helped create prompts that guided the visual and thematic elements. For visuals, I turned to text-to-image and image-to-image software (Open AI Dalle, Midjourney, Stability AI), transforming words and photographs of the character (me) into the foundational images for the film. I used AI upscalers to improve the quality of the images - worth noting these tools are not 100% useful every time as sometimes they distort the image, so I had to use a variety of them. I then used image-to-video AI (Runway), animating these images into dynamic sequences that carried the story forward. To ensure I utilised all available techniques, I also generated some scenes using text to video using Runways direct to video model. To ensure character consistency, one of the most challenging components, I trained an AI model to adjust the face of the generated images to improve them where necessary. The auditory dimension was crafted using multiple text-to-sound models (Amped Studio, AudioLDM), generating both the musical score and sound effects to complement the visuals. I cloned and edited my voice using Lovo for the narrative. Beyond these specific AI applications, I incorporated additional AI techniques within established software like Adobe Firefly for image refinement and utilised traditional editing tools, such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, to assemble and polish the final product. This blend of AI-driven processes and manual editing ensured the film demonstrated how combining human creativity with AI can be a positive for society.