In this episode of Industry Spotlight by Creative First, Subodh Menon, Founder and Director of Fanboy Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Co-Founder of Zoupe, joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming advertising production while reinforcing the importance of human creativity and creators’ rights.

Subodh explained how AI is improving every stage of commercial filmmaking, from concept development to post-production. At Fanboy Pictures, AI is used to generate realistic visual previews that help clients better understand creative ideas before production begins, making collaboration more efficient while leaving creative decision-making firmly in human hands.

Discussing AI’s role on set, Subodh shared how his team used AI-generated visuals in a recent campaign featuring cricketer Smriti Mandhana to replace an expensive physical setup, reducing costs without compromising quality. He argued that AI is enhancing execution rather than creativity itself, enabling brands to produce more content, experiment with new ideas, and create ambitious campaigns that were previously out of reach for smaller budgets.

The conversation then turned to the responsible use of AI. Subodh described AI as a creative tool rather than an independent creator, emphasizing that originality still comes from the vision, judgment, and intent of the people using it. He added that creators who use AI responsibly to produce original work should continue to receive the recognition and protections they deserve.

Looking ahead, Subodh identified hyper-personalized advertising as one of AI’s most promising applications, while acknowledging the privacy considerations it will require. He encouraged creators to embrace AI as a means of lowering production barriers and expanding creative possibilities, without losing sight of what truly sets great work apart: original ideas, human perspective, and authentic storytelling.

In closing, Subodh reaffirmed that AI should amplify—not replace—human creativity. While technology will continue to transform how advertising is conceived and produced, he believes the industry’s future will ultimately be defined by originality, creative judgment, and strong protections for creators’ rights.