AMC Theatres will test Deepdub's AI-powered visual dubbing technology with a limited theatrical release of the Swedish film "A Piece of My Heart" ("En del av mitt hjärta"). This technology alters the actors' lip movements on-screen to synchronize with the English-language dub, offering a more immersive and natural viewing experience than traditional dubbing. The test will run in select AMC locations across the US from June 30th to July 6th, providing valuable audience feedback on the technology's effectiveness.
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Summary of Comments ( 3 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43449608
Hacker News users discuss the implications of AI-powered visual dubbing, as described in the linked Engadget article about AMC screening a Swedish film using this technology. Several express skepticism about the quality and believability of AI-generated lip movements, fearing an uncanny valley effect. Some question the need for this approach compared to traditional dubbing or subtitles, citing potential job displacement for voice actors and a preference for authentic performances. Others see potential benefits for accessibility and international distribution, but also raise concerns about the ethical considerations of manipulating actors' likenesses without consent and the potential for misuse of deepfake technology. A few commenters are cautiously optimistic, suggesting that this could be a useful tool if implemented well, while acknowledging the need for further refinement.
The Hacker News comments section for the article about AMC using AI for visual dubbing of a Swedish film is relatively small, with only a handful of comments focusing on a few key themes rather than in-depth discussion. No one expresses strong opinions for or against the technology.
Several commenters express skepticism or outright disbelief about the quality of the "visual dubbing" based on their past experiences with AI-generated video. They doubt that the technology is capable of realistically syncing lip movements to a new language, predicting awkward and distracting results. One user explicitly states they expect the movie to look like a "deepfake."
Others question the practical applications and target audience for this technology. One comment suggests that subtitles remain a superior option for viewers who prefer the original performance and nuances of the actors. Another wonders if the technology is intended for audiences who dislike reading subtitles, or if it's a cost-saving measure for movie studios.
One commenter offers a more neutral perspective, simply noting that this is an interesting development and wondering how convincing the results will be. Another comment briefly touches upon the potential implications for actors and the dubbing industry, without going into much detail.
In essence, the comments reflect a wait-and-see attitude, with prevailing skepticism about the technology's current capabilities but some curiosity about its potential future. The discussion lacks strong opinions either for or against the technology and doesn't delve deeply into the ethical or artistic implications.