Amazon MGM Studios to Launch Closed Beta Testing of Proprietary AI Production Tools in March

04.02.2026

Amazon MGM Studios is preparing to expand testing of its proprietary artificial intelligence tools designed to optimize film and television production workflows. Following the establishment of a dedicated AI Studio in summer 2024, the company is now ready to transition from internal testing to external validation with industry partners.

According to industry reports, Amazon will initiate a closed beta program in March 2025, inviting select industry partners to evaluate its AI-powered production tools. The company expects to publish preliminary results from this pilot program by May 2025.

Key focus areas for the AI toolset include:

• Enhanced character consistency across multiple shots and scenes
• Pre-production workflow optimization
• Post-production process acceleration
• Cost reduction while maintaining creative quality
• Intellectual property protection mechanisms

The AI Studio has established partnerships with prominent industry professionals including Robert Stromberg (known for "Maleficent"), Kunal Nayyar ("The Big Bang Theory"), and former Pixar animator Colin Brady to ensure optimal implementation strategies. The initiative leverages Amazon Web Services infrastructure and plans to integrate multiple Large Language Model providers.

Albert Cheng, who leads the AI Studios initiative, emphasized that the primary objective is to augment creative teams rather than replace them. The focus remains on improving operational efficiency and reducing production costs while ensuring robust IP protection and preventing AI-generated content from being absorbed into other AI training datasets.

Amazon has already deployed these tools in production environments. The series "House of David" incorporated 350 AI-generated shots in its second season, demonstrating real-world application of the technology.

Industry Context and Concerns

The adoption of AI in Hollywood continues to generate significant debate within the entertainment industry. Concerns center around workforce displacement, creative integrity, and the long-term implications for filmmaking as an art form.

Amazon is not alone in this space. Netflix has also integrated generative AI into its productions, with Co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirming that the series "The Eternaut" utilized AI technology to create a building collapse sequence.

It's worth noting that Amazon has previously cited AI-driven efficiency gains as a contributing factor in workforce reductions, including 16,000 layoffs in January 2025 and 14,000 layoffs in October 2024.

Sources:
Deadline - Amazon AI Studio Announcement
Reuters - Amazon AI Production Tools Report
The Wrap - House of David AI Implementation