The ethics of AI in film making: protecting artistic integrity and legacy PART 1

"It opens up the door to thinking about AI not just as a tool of efficiency, but a new kind of creative, collaborative or generator of experimental content."

In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we’re joined by Jackie Yiheng Lu, a doctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, specialising in Intellectual Property Law with a focus on moral rights and AI-generated content (AIGC). Drawing on his background in both law and engineering, Jackie offers a unique perspective on how AI is transforming the creative process—from scriptwriting and voice synthesis to deepfakes and digital doubles.

Jackie dives into the origins of AI in film, from early use cases like Fast & Furious and Sunspring to today’s increasingly sophisticated tools. He reflects on how AI impacts cultural expression, challenges the value of artistic labour, and raises fairness concerns when AI-assisted performances enter award competitions.

The conversation also touches on the cultural implications of homogenised AI outputs, the difficulties in recognising true authorship, and the UK’s unique legal position on computer-generated works—where authorship may be assigned to those making “necessary arrangements,” even without direct creative input.

*Please note, this is two-part episode. The second part will be released on 3rd September, a change to schedule as recorded.