MOSCOW, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Generated by artificial intelligence (AI), characters like Mikhail Lermontov and Alexander Pushkin from Russia's cultural heritage strolled through wide streets in a modern Russian city, passing food stalls and digital billboards.
The short film was unveiled at this year's "AI Journey" conference held from last Wednesday to last Friday in Moscow, where AI's fast-growing influence across industries was on full display, including a dedicated session exploring its emerging role in filmmaking and creative arts.
"Artificial intelligence is transforming every part of our lives, while marketing, creative arts and cinema are among the first to change," said Vladislav Kreinin, head of marketing and public relations of Russia's largest bank Sberbank, a major player in the country's AI push.
According to Kreinin, Mandragora, the world's first opera completed with the help of AI technologies, was staged as the highlight of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June this year, marking a new step in blending technology with classical performing arts.
"It is a significant attempt to build a new stage version that unites human talent and AI," said Valery Gergiev, a Russian conductor and opera company director, adding that deploying advanced technologies in opera and ballet requires preserving the natural connection with artistic creation.
For people who work in the film industry, the appeal of AI is both creative and practical. Russian actress Darya Moroz said she finds AI especially useful in early-stage production, including visualization, research and presentation, greatly shortening timelines and simplifying workflows.
"My colleagues and I are currently working on a miniseries integrating filmmaking technologies and AI," where actors will be filmed and then "moved into different worlds," she said.
Traditional computer-generated work is expensive and time-consuming, so if AI can take over even part of that workload, it could open the door to entirely new creative possibilities, she added.
During the process of producing commercials, AI is already lowering production costs and enabling highly personalized content for niche audiences, Kreinin said.
Despite the possibilities brought by AI, human artists are still irreplaceable in creative industries.
"AI is an assistant instead of a true creator or a true artist," Moroz said. "It cannot replace a person's inner world, because creativity and individuality are unique features only to humans."
Ethical considerations in using AI in these industries are also crucial. "When reusing intellectual property like great artworks and music, we must fully respect copyright and the rights of heirs," Kreinin said. ■
