Soderbergh Uses AI in Lennon Documentary and War Film

Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has revealed his use of artificial intelligence in an upcoming documentary about John Lennon and Yoko Ono, marking a practical application of the technology amid ongoing debates in Hollywood over its role in creative production.

In an interview with Filmmaker Magazine, Soderbergh described how AI assisted in generating about 10 minutes of visuals for the 90-minute film, which centers on a three-hour audio interview the couple gave to RKO Radio just hours before Lennon's death in 1980. The documentary primarily features archival stills and recordings, with the AI-generated segments providing "thematically surreal images" to illustrate philosophical discussions. "AI has been helpful in creating thematically surreal images that occupy a dream space rather than a literal space," Soderbergh said. "And that's been really fun because you need a Ph.D. in literature to tell it what to do. But like every other piece of technology, it desperately requires very close human supervision."

The project, which Soderbergh said is nearly complete and expected to finish by May, aims to highlight Lennon and Ono's views on art, love, and politics beyond their music. Sean...