Netflix Acquires AI Film Technology Startup Founded by Ben Affleck
Netflix has officially acquired InterPositive, an artificial intelligence-based film technology startup founded by Hollywood actor and director Ben Affleck.
The acquisition value has not been disclosed to the public. Through this agreement, the entire InterPositive team, comprising 16 engineers, researchers and creators, will join Netflix. Affleck himself will become a senior adviser to Netflix, providing guidance on technology development.
This acquisition is relatively rare for Netflix. The streaming company is typically known for developing its own technology rather than acquiring other firms.
Netflix states that InterPositive’s technology takes a different approach compared with many generative AI platforms currently in development. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said InterPositive’s technology will give creators greater control in the production process.
“Our relationship with artists has always been based on trust: supporting their full creativity and ensuring they have control over how films and series are made,” said Bajaria in a statement. “We believe new tools should expand creative freedom, not restrict it or replace the work of writers, directors, actors and crew.”
Netflix plans to make InterPositive technology available to its creative partners. However, the company has no plans to sell the technology commercially to the general market.
Affleck explained that InterPositive was not designed to create films automatically using text prompts like other generative AI models. “AI is typically understood as making something from scratch: I type something on a computer and then the computer makes a film. That’s not what we do,” said Affleck.
InterPositive technology works by building AI models based on existing production materials, such as dailies from the filming process. The model is then used in the post-production stage to assist processes such as colour mixing, relighting scenes and adding visual effects.
Chief Product and Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone said current AI video technology is generally not designed from the perspective of filmmakers.