Everyday AI: Shashank Shrestha

In the dynamic world of filmmaking, Artificial Intelligence is emerging not as a replacement for human ingenuity, but as a powerful collaborator. As the director of Kathaharu, I've witnessed firsthand how AI tools can revolutionize project management, streamline research, and refine the final product, ultimately freeing up valuable creative energy.

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AI makes things faster, but you should not outsource your entire thinking to it.

The true power of AI in filmmaking lies in its ability to tackle the mundane and previously insurmountable. Tools that can transcribe hours of interviews, clean up noisy audio, sharpen out-of-focus shots, or even generate missing footage were once the stuff of science fiction. Now, they allow filmmakers to salvage projects and elevate their work without compromising editorial control.

However, it is imperative to approach AI with a discerning eye. While AI can accelerate tasks and fix errors, it cannot replicate the core of creativity. The goal is not to outsource thinking but to leverage AI as an assistant that simplifies complex processes. This allows creatives to dedicate more time to the essential aspects of filmmaking: brainstorming, ideation, and collaboration.

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AI tools really allow us to fix previously unfixable errors.

From a Nepali perspective, embracing such technological advancements is key to staying competitive in the global creative industry. AI offers a pathway to overcome resource limitations and enhance production quality, enabling local artists to produce work that rivals international standards. The emphasis must remain on human-centric application, where AI serves to augment, not supplant, the artist's vision, ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of the filmmaking process.

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Keep humans in the centre while the tool gets better at streamlining our process.