After Sora's Debut, Tyler Perry Cancels $800M Studio Expansion 81

Four months ago, DreamWorks founder Katzenberg said that artificial intelligence would cut 90% of animation film jobs within 3 years.

And it's already happening: after seeing Openai's Sora, Tyler Perry has halted his $800 million studio expansion plan.

Specifically, what convinced him?

"Over the past year or so, I'd been getting messages saying this was coming, but it wasn't until recently, after seeing a demo of what it can do, that I realized. It blew my mind."

"Being told something artificial intelligence can do all these things is one thing, but actually seeing the capabilities, it's truly exciting,"

"I think this will be a massive game changer because if you can produce a pilot episode for a fraction of the cost—where you'd normally be looking at $15 million, $20 million, or even $35 million if it's HBO—of course these companies' bottom line is going to go the lower-cost route."

"I am very, very worried that in the not-too-distant future, a lot of jobs are going to be lost. I really, truly have a very strong feeling about this."

"I'm very worried for everyone in this industry."

As a business owner, Perry sees the opportunity in these developments, but as an employer, actor, and filmmaker, he also wants to sound the alarm.

He hopes the entire industry will come together to address AI: "There has to be some kind of regulation to protect us. If there isn't, I don't know how we survive."

I absolutely believe this must be an all-industry, joint approach. Unions can't fight every contract every two or three years. I think this has to involve everyone.

Technology is moving so fast. I feel like everyone in this industry is running at a hundred miles an hour, trying to catch up, trying to put up guardrails and seatbelts, just to keep their livelihoods.

I think about all the construction workers and contractors who won't be hired, because I won't be moving forward with the next phase of the studio—there simply is no need to do so.

I know every union is independent, and I know unions support each other during negotiations, but I believe now is the time to rally a unified voice to help save and protect the individuals in our industry.

I also care deeply about all the talent I've developed and brought into this industry. I'm worried about what happens to them.

"I think the only way to make progress on this is to inspire a common voice—not only in Hollywood and this industry, but also in Congress."