Asteria, Moonvalley build ‘ethically trained’ AI video model for movie studios

The race to develop ethically-sourced AI tools for video content creation is heating up as Hollywood grapples with concerns over copyright and fair compensation for creators.

Key Development: Asteria, a newly formed AI studio under nonfiction producer XTR, is collaborating with AI research startup Moonvalley to develop “Marey,” an AI video model designed specifically for Hollywood’s needs.

• The model is scheduled to launch in early 2025, targeting January or February for its initial release
• Unlike existing AI models that rely on scraped web data, Marey will be trained exclusively on properly licensed content with explicit permission from rights holders
• Content owners will receive compensation for the use of their material in training the model

Technical Capabilities: Marey aims to provide comprehensive video generation and manipulation tools that meet professional production standards.

• The platform will offer text-to-video generation, allowing creators to produce video content from written descriptions
• Image-to-video and video-to-video transformation capabilities will be core features of the system
• Users will have the ability to create custom models tailored to specific production needs
• The development team is focusing on implementing precise creative control features for professional users

Organizational Structure: The project brings together significant expertise and resources from both the technology and entertainment sectors.

• Moonvalley contributes approximately 30 AI researchers with experience from leading tech companies like DeepMind and Meta
• Asteria maintains a creative team of 30 professionals based in Los Angeles
• The venture is backed by substantial funding, with Moonvalley having secured $70 million in November

Market Strategy: The initiative is positioning itself as an enterprise solution for the entertainment industry.

• Initial deployment will be limited to Asteria’s internal projects, including both animation and live-action content
• Discussions are already underway with major studios for potential partnerships and implementation
• The focus on ethical data sourcing is being presented as a key differentiator in the market

Industry Implications: The development of Marey represents a potential shift in how Hollywood approaches AI integration, particularly in addressing ethical and legal concerns that have surrounded other AI tools.

• The emphasis on proper licensing and compensation could establish new industry standards for AI development
• This approach might help bridge the gap between technology innovation and creative rights protection
• The success or failure of this model could influence how future AI tools are developed for the entertainment industry

Looking Forward: While Marey’s ethical approach to AI development addresses many current industry concerns, its true impact will depend on whether it can deliver competitive capabilities while maintaining its commitment to fair compensation and proper licensing. The entertainment industry’s reception of this tool could set important precedents for the future of AI in creative industries.