Google DeepMind has pushed back against a rumor that it sank $75 million into independent film studio A24 to develop artificial intelligence tools for moviemaking. In a terse statement, the AI research lab said no such investment took place.
The denied investment
The claim, which circulated online earlier this week, suggested DeepMind would work with A24 on AI-driven software to assist with script analysis, visual effects, or other production tasks. Neither company had publicly commented before DeepMind's denial. A24, known for critically acclaimed films such as Everything Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight, has not addressed the rumor directly.
DeepMind's statement did not elaborate on the origins of the false report or whether any discussions between the two companies had ever occurred. The denial shuts down speculation that the lab was stepping into Hollywood with a high-profile partnership.
Why the rumor gained traction
The idea of a major AI player bankrolling a film studio fits a broader narrative around generative AI's impact on entertainment. Studios and tech firms have been exploring machine learning for tasks like storyboarding, de-aging actors, and generating background scenes. A24, with its auteur-driven approach, might seem an unlikely partner for a large-scale AI push, but the rumor persisted briefly before the denial.
DeepMind, a subsidiary of Google's parent company Alphabet, has focused its AI work on fields like protein folding, drug discovery, and game-playing systems. Its involvement in film production would mark a significant pivot, something the denial makes clear is not happening.
With DeepMind's statement, the rumor appears to be dead. But the episode raises a lingering question: where did the $75 million figure come from? No source has been identified, and neither DeepMind nor A24 has indicated they will investigate. The denial stands, and the film industry's AI future remains in the hands of other players.
