Independent studio A24 is taking a significant step into the future of filmmaking. The company has announced a new partnership with Google DeepMind, the artificial intelligence division of Google, to develop AI-powered tools designed specifically for filmmakers and creative professionals. According to reports, Google DeepMind will invest $75 million into the initiative, which will operate as a dedicated research lab within A24. The collaboration aims to create technology that can assist filmmakers throughout the creative process while maintaining artistic control and storytelling integrity. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said the company believes the best way to build useful creative tools is by working directly with artists. By partnering with filmmakers from the start, the goal is to develop technology that supports creative vision rather than replacing it.
The deal marks DeepMind’s first known partnership with an entire film studio. While the AI company has previously collaborated with individual filmmakers, including acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky, this agreement represents a much larger commitment to the entertainment industry. The partnership could also help expand the use of Google’s AI video-generation technology, Veo, which has gained attention for its ability to create highly realistic video content.
The new research lab will be overseen by Scott Belsky, the former Adobe executive and co-founder of Behance, who joined A24 in 2025 to lead the studio’s digital initiatives. Belsky has suggested that the focus will be on finding practical uses for AI that encourage creative risk-taking while preserving artistic control. One of the projects already being explored is an AI-powered storyboard tool, a technology that is becoming increasingly popular among filmmakers looking to visualize ideas quickly during development.
The announcement places A24 alongside other major entertainment companies that have begun experimenting with artificial intelligence. Netflix, Amazon Studios and Lionsgate have all explored AI-driven tools in recent years, though A24’s research-focused approach appears to go a step further by actively participating in the design and development process.
As AI continues to make its way into Hollywood, debates surrounding its role remain as strong as ever. Some filmmakers have embraced the technology as a useful creative assistant, while others remain skeptical about its long-term impact on artistic expression. Interestingly, Kane Parsons, director of A24’s recent hit film Backrooms, has publicly criticized generative AI, saying he finds no creative satisfaction in using such tools.
Whether welcomed or resisted, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of modern filmmaking. With A24 and Google DeepMind now working together, the conversation surrounding AI’s place in Hollywood is likely to become even more prominent in the years ahead.