Filmmaker Jon M. Chu criticises the unconsented use of entertainment content in training AI, calling it an “original sin,” while emphasising human creativity’s enduring power amid technological advances. He also discusses his upcoming projects including the “Wicked” adaptation and innovative storytelling challenges.
Director Jon M. Chu has voiced serious concerns regarding the ethical implications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry, describing its initial development as potentially tainted by what he refers to as an “original sin.” Chu expressed these views during his appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, amid discussions on the evolving relationship between technology and creativity.
A filmmaker known for major hits such as “Wicked” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” Chu drew from his Silicon Valley upbringing, shared in his 2024 memoir, “Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen,” to articulate how early exposure to technology shaped his comfort and edge in the creative realm. However, his perspective on generative AI is cautious and critical, especially regarding how technology companies have sourced material to train these AI systems.
“There was an initial sin that I think we’re not over yet, which is they gathered all the data. They took all the scripts, they took all the movies,” Chu told the Festival audience. He criticised studios for not mounting a stronger defence of their copyrighted works, stating, “It feels like they’re saying, ‘We’re past it, move on.’ I could never forgive that.” His comments reflect widespread frustration in Hollywood concerning the unconsented use of entertainment content for AI development.
Despite acknowledging that generative AI presents a “freaking scary” challenge for the industry, Chu expressed confidence that AI will not supplant human creativity or the ability of people to determine their own definitions of art. He emphasised the power held by audiences in evaluating creative works: “I don’t think the robots choose what we decide is valuable. We decide, and that’s very empowering for me.”
His remarks come amid a larger movement within Hollywood, where over 400 creatives, including figures like director Guillermo del Toro, comedian Chris Rock, and actor Cynthia Erivo, have signed a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology urging the protection of existing copyright laws against infringements by AI technologies.
In addition to addressing AI issues, Chu discussed forthcoming projects, notably the cinematic adaptation of “Wicked” titled “Wicked: For Good,” scheduled for theatrical release on 21 November. He also talked about his involvement with other adaptations, including Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir “The Woman in Me” and a film based on the video game “Split Fiction,” which centres on two writer friends trapped in a high-tech simulation of their imaginations.
Responding to reports about the “Split Fiction” project, Chu acknowledged the leak but neither confirmed nor denied specifics, including the involvement of actor Sydney Sweeney. Speaking about the creative challenges, he revealed enthusiasm for the project’s complex storytelling: “That excites me, because I don’t know how to balance that correctly yet.”
Chu’s insights highlight ongoing tensions between technological advancement and creative integrity within Hollywood, alongside his commitment to exploring innovative storytelling through his upcoming work.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-04-27/jon-m-chu-wicked-generative-ai-copyrighted-data – This article reports on Jon M. Chu’s concerns about generative AI’s use of copyrighted data and his criticism of studios for not defending their intellectual property strongly enough.
- https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/jon-m-chu – This resource provides background information on Jon M. Chu, including his contributions to the entertainment industry and personal life.
- https://designobserver.com/making-space-jon-m-chu-on-designing-your-own-path – This article discusses Jon M. Chu’s career path and creative journey, including his work on ‘Wicked’ and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’.
- https://www.getrecall.ai/summary/ted-1/why-creativity-thrives-on-challenges-or-jon-m-chu-or-ted – This summary outlines Jon M. Chu’s TED talk, where he discusses the intersection of technology and creativity, and the importance of human perspectives in creative fields.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbtkoZUOR1A – This is Jon M. Chu’s TED talk, ‘Why Creativity Thrives on Challenges,’ which explores themes of technology, culture, and the role of human creativity.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source provides an overview of Jon M. Chu’s views on AI in the entertainment industry, his upcoming projects, and his optimism about human creativity.
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNVkpLZjRuVGZEcFN4MktHR0dRM2pFaUNWbmlrOXRPbmlIRVBla3RiSXhhallobmJBZXF6T3pwMldBSE1QLVBpMHRRMkR5a21aQTFVa1NlSnI0MTdLRE5IN2l5M1BKS2tHaV9kV2hmYXB1MzhhdnVFWXotZk5rc0w4azhaSmlVSzRNRGJGanRZZF90dkhSQlBzOFNUcktRQWw5U3VIdmlaNEVVS1hyTjZETi1rbw?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and current projects, such as the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and upcoming film adaptations, indicating that the content is relatively fresh. However, the lack of specific dates or more detailed context regarding some discussions limits the score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Quotes from Jon M. Chu are included, but without specific dates or sources for when they were first uttered. While this prevents a higher score, the quotes align well with his known perspective on AI and creativity.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative does not specify a particular news outlet, which could impact reliability. However, the content appears well-informed and respectful, suggesting it might originate from a reputable source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about Jon M. Chu’s views and Hollywood’s response to AI are plausible and align with recent trends in the entertainment industry. The discussion on forthcoming projects adds credibility by referencing known titles like ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Woman in Me’.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears largely plausible and fresh, with well-placed references to current projects and industry concerns. However, the lack of specific dates and original sources for quotes keeps the confidence level medium. Overall, the content is well-informed but could be strengthened with more precise citations.
