AI cannot replace human storytelling in cinema, says editor A Sreekar Prasad

Veteran film editor A Sreekar Prasad said cinema will continue to rely on human emotion, intuition and storytelling despite advances in artificial intelligence. Speaking at a masterclass in Hyderabad, he stressed that technology enhances, rather than replaces, editorial creativity.

Hyderabad: Even as artificial intelligence is reshaping creative industries, the essence of cinema will continue to rest on human intuition, emotion, and storytelling, said editor A Sreekar Prasad.

In a masterclass organised by the Film Editing Department at Annapurna College here, nine-time National Award-winning editor Prasad shared insights on the evolving craft of editing, the growing role of technology, and the skills future filmmakers must develop to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

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Stating that editing is far more than assembling shots, he said it is the craft of shaping characters, story worlds, rhythm, and emotional engagement. Discussing AI, VFX workflows, and emerging technologies, he argued that technological advancement is making editorial thinking more important, not less.

As for AI, he observed that while technology can generate vast amounts of assets and possibilities, human judgement remains central to storytelling. “AI may produce technically efficient and structurally perfect outcomes, but cinema derives its emotional power from human imperfections, intuition, unpredictability, and conviction,” he added.