You’ve probably watched one of the 300 titles on Netflix that were produced using artificial intelligence

Netflix said last year that it was Experience and debut Some of its first shows were produced using artificial intelligence. Now, the company reports that generative AI has been used in nearly 300 of its programs this year, mostly across production and especially post-production.

It was a revelation Part of Netflix’s Q2 earnings report (PDF), published Thursday. The company’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, coined the technology as a way to speed up work, cut costs, and sometimes make shots that would otherwise be impossible.

“In many cases, production companies would have left out those key shots because they couldn’t afford them, and they weren’t able to do them in the time frames that they were working on,” Sarandos said. “These sequences are saved by the availability and access to these public AI tools.”

The list of titles using AI includes shows like Glory, a sports thriller set in India, and the docuseries The American Experiment. Sarandos emphasized how creators who make shows or movies for Netflix use artificial intelligence as a tool to create “complex shots and sequences.”

At the same time, Sarandos framed AI as a creative assistant rather than a replacement, arguing that great films still depend on human artists and that AI simply gives “creatives better tools to bring their vision to life.”

Netflix has been increasingly open about adopting AI in areas such as content discovery and advertising, as well as animation production. In March, The streaming company has acquired InterPositive, which was founded by Ben Affleckwhich it said would provide filmmakers with artificial intelligence tools throughout the production process.

The complex role of artificial intelligence in films and television

Convulsive labor strikes by writers, actors and other industry workers have shut down Hollywood productions in 2023 due to the growing threat of artificial intelligence replacing creative labor and copyright issues. Since then, film and television studios, artists, and craftspeople have been resisting the rapid development of AI technology.

Take, for example, the backlash against artificial intelligence Performers like Tilly NorwoodDriven by fears of labor substitution, unauthorized use of human performances and a lack of true emotional depth. In some cases, major studios and unions have joined forces to protest against it AI video generators It can replace traditional video production. and a recent contract change for the children’s voice actor in the hit cartoon Peppa Pig sparked protests Following reports that Hasbro has asked actors to sign over the rights to use artificial intelligence for their voices.

Others in Hollywood have done so, including Martin Scorsese Hop on the AI ​​bandwagon. Meanwhile, studios and distributors (Netflix both) are developing live-action and animated projects that use AI in at least some elements of their production, even as questions persist about where they should draw the line.

Read more: Best AI video generators of 2026: Gemini Omni, Adobe Firefly, and more compared

Using artificial intelligence behind the scenes

To date, there have been no widely recognized big-budget films or TV shows that have been produced entirely by AI, or feature performers produced entirely by AI. But using technology behind the scenes, as Netflix does, is the most important application in entertainment, says AK Pradeep, CEO and founder of Netflix. Sensorswhich was doing AI production work for television production in India.

“Netflix is ​​catching up to do this unsexy but very important task,” Pradeep told CNET via email. Although it may not seem glamorous, “it’s a show that wins or falls based on production, camera work, sound and good direction.”

AI can be used as a tool to make technical decisions quickly, freeing managers to focus on the big picture, Pradeep said. “Who should the camera focus on and when? What are the best angles? What does the rating data tell us about what worked and what didn’t? These are all things that AI can do well, and could be the difference between the next big success and a flop,” he said.