At the Camden International Film Festival, the capital of documentary production, a group of documentary filmmakers presented best practice guidance for using generative artificial intelligence in non-fiction filmmaking and announced further educational efforts.
The Archives Producers Alliance (APA), formed in 2023 and made up of more than 300 researchers, producers and award-winning filmmakers, outlines industry guardrails for the ethical use of artificial intelligence as it relates to the use of archival material such as historical photographs and film footage , often used in nonfiction filmmaking.
The organization has previously presented its guidelines in a working form, soliciting feedback from other documentary filmmakers, but has now made its final recommendations. Beyond that, best practices include promoting the use of primary source material, but when using artificial intelligence, consider algorithmic bias and the use of watermarks or other clear disclosures to the audience when using artificial intelligence to generate images.
In addition to releasing the guidance, the organization also announced a multi-year education program that includes a series of lectures, panels and workshops across the country in the hope of helping documentary filmmakers use new technology in an ethical manner. The program, which will also conduct real-world case studies using generative artificial intelligence in the documentation domain, is being launched with funding from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation.
“Research is an important part of bringing the stories in my films to life. The work of the Alliance of Archivers looks to the past while embracing today’s technology. Their work will be a vital aid to filmmakers in a new era of storytelling ,” Ken Burns said of APA’s work in a statement provided to APA. hollywood reporter.
The APA’s guidelines are endorsed by individual filmmakers such as Burns as well as organizations such as the International Documentary Association, the Alliance of Documentary Producers, and the Alliance of Documentary Editors.
Stanley Nelson of Firelight Films said: “As documentary filmmakers who rely on the integrity of historical archives, and as mentors to young filmmakers who are grappling with the threats and potential that generative AI brings to their work, we Be grateful for these guidelines.Miles Davis: The Birth of Cuckool). “We are particularly encouraged by the focus on algorithmic bias, which has the potential to rewrite the past and preclude possible futures when it comes to representation of people of color.”
