Ever since AI tools became mainstream, filmmakers, writers, and actors have been scrambling to find out whether these technologies can truly support creativity or ultimately replace humans. However, there are major concerns that should be addressed before getting dragged into the debate. AI cannot run without huge data centers and energy infrastructure.
The new joint venture, named Utopai East, aims to address that need by developing infrastructure for producing films and TV shows using AI. The joint venture will be a 50-50 joint venture between investment firm Stock Farm Road (SFR) and AI film and television production company Utopai Studios.
SFR was co-founded by Brian Koo (grandson of LG Group founder Koo In-Hwi) and Amin Badr El Din, founder and CEO of BADR Investments, and is funding the joint venture along with its creative expertise and industry connections. Utopai, on the other hand, provides the technology, workflow, and infrastructure.
The project also includes co-producing film and television projects and expanding access to Korean intellectual property for overseas audiences. According to Cecilia Shen, co-founder and CEO of Utopai Studios, production will begin using existing infrastructure and the company expects to release the first content from this collaboration next year.
In the short term, the use of AI will primarily be aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency, Koo told TechCrunch.
“But beyond that, we are very excited about the new possibilities that AI opens up. As we engage with creators, we are exploring what entirely new things are possible. Part of our initial focus now is on Korean creators,” Koo said. “Just as short-form content was a novelty when it first appeared, we see an opportunity for a fresh approach. We are working not only with established directors in the film industry, but also with young, innovative creators who are not limited to traditional cinema.”
But novelty alone won’t allay the concerns of those who work in the entertainment industry and those who consume content. AI may one day replace humans in creative roles such as acting, performance, and writing, but it often lacks the depth, nuance, and emotional resonance of human storytelling. This has sparked a broader discussion about the value of human creativity in an age when machines can imitate human touch but cannot fully reproduce it.
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However, Shen and Koo argue that the use of AI is only aimed at improving existing processes. “These questions were at the heart of everything we built at Utopai Studios,” says Shen. “From the beginning, we never focused on automation. Our workflow is designed to work with filmmakers, not for them. We still need writers to write the scripts, directors to direct, and actors to perform,” Shen says.
All models and all datasets used are fully licensed and contractually approved, Shen added, ensuring that the technology respects the work of the creators who make filmmaking possible.
“We want creators to understand that AI can expand their creative potential, rather than compete with creators. AI can help them realize their dreams and give them the freedom to explore their creativity to the fullest without worrying about being replaced by AI. We believe this will be one of the most exciting achievements for us,” Koo said.
“Typically, content and IP grow incrementally. IP is developed one after another, but with the right technology, especially AI, there is potential for exponential growth. This is not about AI replacing humans. It’s about the huge value AI can create for viewers, creators, engineers, etc. alike,” he added.
This contract follows SFR’s recent agreement with the Jeollanam Province government to build a 3 GW AI data center in South Korea.
“The data center is part of Stock Farm Road’s larger mission to build the backbone of the next generation of intelligence-driven industries. Beyond Utopai Studios and entertainment, we are also focusing on sectors such as manufacturing, energy informatization, AI, and quantum computing, all of which are interconnected sectors that require the same type of infrastructure,” Khoo said.
This data center will serve as the foundation for everything Utopai East is developing and will include a complete AI infrastructure for entertainment content spanning data management, creative intelligence, production and distribution.
Financial details of the joint venture were not disclosed, but the company said capital will come from multiple channels, including SFR’s investment vehicle, global government and institutional investors, and film and entertainment industry partners.
The joint venture will start by producing Korean content, but aims to eventually expand to other parts of Asia. “Japan has always been a great market as well,” said Shen, adding that he sees Japan as a natural starting point for expansion and also sees great potential in China and Thailand.
