Last week’s AI Movie Night at VICE during Seattle Tech Week got me thinking about something beyond the impressive film showcases and John Gaeta‘s insights on Neo Cinema: where we introduce people to emerging technology matters as much as what we show them.
Having spent years working in AI—including bringing machine learning to millions of LG smart TVs—I’ve learned that successful AI adoption isn’t just about building powerful tools. It’s about meeting audiences where they already are, in environments that feel familiar and social.
John du Pre Gauntt is laying the groundwork for Seattle’s AI creative community by fostering these platforms and amplifying local work for the world to see. It’s been incredible watching him adapt to the community’s needs—moving from traditional tech venues to spaces that encourage genuine creative exchange. I’m excited for what he has planned for AI Week and Halloween!
Three key takeaways from the night:
- John Gaeta’s Neo Cinema vision: The Matrix VFX pioneer described how game engines + AI are creating interactive storytelling that goes beyond passive viewing. Characters stepping off screens, worlds you can explore—we’re moving toward participatory narratives.
- Tools are democratizing: Griptape.ai‘s node-based workflows show how specialized tools can make AI creativity accessible in a centralized place.
- Platforms like this open new possibilities: I’m excited to see where events like these can take us. With advancing AI creative tools, we might even see VJ-style live generation—audiences voting on narrative branches in real-time, or choose-your-own-adventure films generated on the fly.
This reminds me of an episode from the “Space Brothers” anime where the best way to convince a skeptical journalist about space exploration wasn’t through arguments—it was by letting her experience a shift in perspective. Sometimes the most effective way to demonstrate AI’s creative potential is simply to let people experience it. Watch a finished AI film? Use the AI tools yourself to see what’s involved?
What environments have you found most effective for introducing new technology to broader audiences?