Rudy Lai
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AI @ Warner Bros. Discovery

Film, streaming, TV networks
Industry
Last updated
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Summary

  • Warner Bros. Discovery has progressively integrated AI technologies from 2019 to 2025, progressing from metadata-driven content discovery collaboration with Intel, through machine learning applications in streaming and ad targeting, to generative AI solutions like automated closed captioning and content creation assistance.
  • The company invested in AI leadership by appointing Anish Agarwal as VP of AI and Automation in late 2024, emphasizing strategic AI adoption in content presentation and advertising, while also actively engaging in AI content copyright protection lawsuits in 2025, highlighting tensions around AI-generated content rights.
  • Key financial and operational impacts include significant efficiency gains by reducing production time and costs through AI captioning on Max streaming service, enhancing ad targeting effectiveness under CEO David Zaslav's tenure, and launching AI-powered platforms collaboration with AWS for live event broadcasting by mid-2025.

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8 AI Use Cases at Warner Bros. Discovery

Content Protection
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Risk
WBD actively files lawsuits against AI companies for unauthorized use of copyrighted characters and content in generative AI, aiming to reduce intellectual property risks. [1]
Live Event Broadcasting
2025
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
In collaboration with AWS, Warner Bros. Discovery launched a generative AI-powered platform that transforms how mountain bike events are broadcast, enhancing viewer experience. [1]
Content Presentation
2024
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Integration of generative AI platforms is used to personalize and optimize the presentation of content to diverse audience segments, elevating engagement. [1]
Shoppable Ads
2024
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
WBD uses AI to identify products appearing in shows and films, enabling interactive ads where consumers can directly shop items featured on screen. [1]
Automated Captioning
2024
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
Partnering with Google Cloud, WBD implemented AI-powered closed captioning for Max, reducing production time and costs while improving viewer accessibility. [1][2]
Ad Targeting
2024
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
Using AI tools, WBD enhances advertisement relevance and targeting effectiveness, driving higher impact campaigns and viewer engagement as articulated by CEO David Zaslav. [1][2]
Streaming Optimization
2023
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
AI models are productized by specialized engineers like Frank Shen to monitor and maintain stream quality and ensure seamless delivery of media content. [1]
Content Discovery
2019
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Warner Bros. Discovery uses AI to analyze video metadata and viewer behavior to improve the relevance and personalization of content recommendations across its platforms. [1]

Timeline

2025 Q4

1 updates

Reports emerge that Paramount's CEO plans to leverage AI to increase film and TV output pending a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, indicating growing industry AI adoption albeit outside WBD direct operations.

2025 Q3

1 updates

WBD files landmark copyright infringement lawsuits against AI image generators Midjourney and Chinese startup MiniMax, alleging unauthorized use of iconic characters like Batman and Superman. AI-driven investment predictions also gain media attention.

2025 Q2

1 updates

WBD launches a generative AI-powered 'Cycling Central Intelligence' platform in collaboration with AWS to transform live mountain bike event broadcasts. Announces ViralMoment, an AI-driven video intelligence platform decoding social video trends.

2025 Q1

1 updates

Senior Director Deepa Paranjpe discusses AI/ML's role at WBD, focusing on improving workflows and role integration. The company uses AI-driven insights to maximize ad campaign effectiveness across platforms including DirecTV.

2024 Q4

2 updates

Anish Agarwal is appointed VP for AI and Automation. WBD integrates generative AI tools across digital platforms to optimize content presentation and streamlines advertising by creating ads that identify and enable purchasing of items within shows.

2024 Q3

2 updates

WBD partners with Google Cloud to launch AI-powered automatic closed captioning for its Max streaming service, significantly improving captioning efficiency and reducing costs. AI is also applied for scriptwriting, story development, and automated video editing to enhance production quality.

2024 Q2

2 updates

CEO David Zaslav confirms AI use in ad targeting and content discovery, rejecting AI-generated programming. Shareholders oppose detailed AI use reporting. Meanwhile, public concerns rise over plans to replace traditional productions with AI-generated entertainment.

2024 Q1: no updates

2023 Q4

2 updates

WBD enhances AI capabilities, employing state-of-the-art machine learning in computer vision and NLP; Frank Shen, Machine Learning Platform Engineer, leads model productization to maintain streaming quality.

2023 Q3: no updates

2023 Q2: no updates

2023 Q1: no updates

2022 Q4: no updates

2022 Q3: no updates

2022 Q2: no updates

2022 Q1: no updates

2021 Q4: no updates

2021 Q3: no updates

2021 Q2: no updates

2021 Q1: no updates

2020 Q4: no updates

2020 Q3: no updates

2020 Q2: no updates

2020 Q1: no updates

2019 Q4

1 updates

Warner Bros. began its AI journey by partnering with Intel to use AI for applying video metadata, improving content discovery and audience connection.