NYU Makes Deal To Incorporate AI Tools Into Arts Programs

To the disdain of opponents of AI use within the entertainment industry, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts are collaborating with Runway AI to make AI credits and training available for free to students. Programs included in this collaboration include the university-wide initiative run out of the film school, Hypercinema Lab, as well as the tech focused arts programs, the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and Interactive Media Arts (ITM). However, the mainline film school is not part of the deal at this time.

Runway AI does have licensing deals with multiple schools, including USC. This would be an extension of that in the form of training, free credits, and other assistance to use the tool. Though students would be encouraged to make movies the old fashioned way, they will now be given tools that provide them with the opportunity to incorporate elements of AI into their films. This includes the typically expensive, video-generation credits, which would be made available on a generous if not unlimited basis.

Advocates of initiatives such as this see the tech as beneficial to students as it allows them to express their vision without the confines of a budget. Opponents, however, fear that it will discourage knowledge and the use of traditional techniques.

The dean of Tisch School of the Arts, Ruben Polendo, told the Hollywood Reporter that he understands the resistance to the initiative but Tisch “welcomes the future”.

Acceptance of this type of models within studios, schools, and companies is large already. There might be a very small minority [objecting], but I don’t think that they’re in any way shaping the discourse anymore. These are extremely useful and valuable tools for creatives and filmmakers and talent and it’s hard to say otherwise. I mean, the results are there. You can just see people having fun and be much more productive.