Danny Boyle Admits Using Generative AI to Animate Photos in New Film 'Ink'

Danny Boyle has openly admitted that his new film, Ink, utilizes generative AI. The acclaimed British filmmaker, recognized for works like 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire, disclosed at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado that around 30 seconds of the film feature AI-enhanced animations of vintage photographs. The narrative focuses on media mogul Rupert Murdoch's takeover of the British tabloid The Sun. Early audiences at the Venice Film Festival and Telluride speculated about the use of AI to animate images of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Kray brothers, with credits acknowledging the AI involvement. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Boyle noted that generative AI excels at creating animals, mentioning the AI-generated mice in Ink. He emphasized the importance of respecting actors when using AI. Boyle's candidness stands in contrast to many in Hollywood who often keep such technology under wraps.