AI Reshaping Media & Democratizing Creation at NY Tech Week

Last week, New York was abuzz with activity as NY Tech Week brought together innovators from across the city. Set in a downtown venue favored by artists and filmmakers, ShotKraft's event AI Reshaping Media & Democratizing Creation gathered technologists, investors, and creatives at the intersection of innovation and media to explore AI’s transformation of the storytelling landscape.

The panel featured leaders from across the ecosystem: ShotKraft CEO and co-founder Leland Krane, whose AI-powered filmmaking assistant helps creators turn scripts into visual stories; Danielo Garcia of B&H Studio, providing end-to-end solutions for production and post; C.J. Fernandez from Luma AI, a pioneer in multimodal generative AI for 3D, image, and video content; and Joe Lazer, CMO of Pepper Content and author of The Storytelling Edge, specializing in AI-driven content creation at scale.

From smart tracking in cameras and virtual production to AI-generated images and video, new tools are democratizing creativity, allowing independent creators to achieve Hollywood-level results at a fraction of the cost. While concerns about disruption remain, there’s growing excitement about AI’s ability to empower new voices and storytelling formats.

As AI reshapes creative workflows, what does it mean for the future of filmmaking? Will authenticity and human intention still define great art in an AI-assisted world? How can we balance automation with preserving creative and critical thinking? What ethical questions arise as AI tools are trained on the work of artists, often without consent? Will AI democratize access to high-end visual effects or erode craft? How will new aesthetics emerge, and what storytelling and human skills will remain essential as technology evolves?

Our panel dived into these questions and more— for those who missed the live event or wish to revisit the discussion, the meeting recording is available below.

Cheers! 🥂

The ShotKraft Team