– Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known as “DANIELS,” premiered their film “Everything Everywhere All At Once” at SXSW in 2022, which later won 7 Oscars.
– The duo expressed both amazement and terror at the rise of AI, cautioning against blindly embracing the technology and urging careful consideration of its use.
– They emphasized the importance of storytelling and art in saving ourselves and our value from a system that can devalue us.
At the SXSW conference in Austin, filmmakers DANIELS discussed the rise of AI in storytelling, calling it both amazing and terrifying. They highlighted how capitalism relies on compelling people to work and questioned the implications of AI on the current system. DANIELS acknowledged the benefits of AI but also expressed concerns about the impact on jobs, values, and societal structures.
Kwan emphasized the need to recognize the potentially negative effects of AI within the existing system. He pointed out how social media has already changed the way we connect with each other and urged for a careful consideration of AI’s deployment in our lives. Scheinert echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of using AI to create a better world rather than solely for profit.
The filmmakers encouraged the audience to think deeply about the implications of AI and why it may feel wrong to use it. They stressed the importance of using AI thoughtfully and not just for the benefit of a few. By creating art and storytelling that reflects their values, DANIELS believe they are working to save themselves and others from a system that seeks to devalue humanity.
Overall, the filmmakers’ discussion at SXSW highlighted the dual nature of AI as both a powerful tool for progress and a potential threat to societal values and well-being. They urged for a critical evaluation of AI’s role in shaping the future and emphasized the importance of using technology responsibly to create a better world for all.