Investor and "Shark Tank" host Kevin O’Leary recently made waves by suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize the film industry, particularly by replacing background actors to significantly cut production costs. O'Leary, who makes his feature film acting debut in A24’s upcoming "Marty Supreme," used his own film experience to highlight the potential financial benefits of AI during an interview on The Hill’s “World of Travel: The Podcast” on October 16.

O’Leary argued that many film scenes involve up to 150 extras who are not central to the narrative but are necessary for visual depth, incurring millions of dollars in expenses for their presence, dressing, and long hours. He proposed that AI-generated stand-ins could fulfill this role, saving substantial amounts of money. "Why couldn’t you simply put AI agents in their place? Because they’re not the main actors. They’re only in the story visually. [You could] save millions of dollars, so more movies could be made," O'Leary stated, suggesting that a $90 million film could potentially be made for $35 million, allowing for the creation of two movies instead of one.

The discussion extended to the broader application of AI in entertainment, with O’Leary referencing specific examples. He spoke of Tilly Norwood, an AI "actress" introduced at the Zurich Summit in September, noting that Hollywood agencies were reportedly interested in signing her. O'Leary emphasized the AI's efficiency, stating, "She’s 100% AI. She doesn’t exist. But she’s a great actress. She can come in any age you want. She doesn’t need to eat, so she works 24 hours a day." This concept, however, has drawn strong condemnation from SAG-AFTRA, which issued a statement denouncing such products for "jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry." O’Leary also mentioned The Velvet Sundown, a project creating AI-generated music, claiming it was among the top 10% of downloads, further illustrating AI's encroaching presence in creative fields.

"Marty Supreme," the film central to O'Leary's discussion, is A24's most expensive feature to date, with a production budget exceeding $60 million. This 1950s period piece stars Timothée Chalamet as an ambitious ping-pong prodigy and Gwyneth Paltrow as his love interest. Kevin O’Leary plays the role of Paltrow’s character's husband. The film is scheduled for release in theaters on Christmas Day. O'Leary reiterated his stance that for the sake of art and efficiency, AI should be allowed in certain cases, particularly for extras where the visual difference is negligible.

Beyond his film role, O’Leary is actively investing in and utilizing AI technology for personal applications. He is in the process of creating an AI facsimile of himself, an "AI Kevin," which he is training in Abu Dhabi. O'Leary noted the rapid advancement of this technology, predicting that an upcoming iteration of his AI model will be indistinguishable from himself. He is also seeking full citizenship in the United Arab Emirates, anticipating the industry's growth abroad. O'Leary concluded by asserting the inevitability of AI's progress: "It’s coming. You can’t stop the advancement of technology, so I’m spending a lot of time investing."