Amazon’s Prime Video is introducing a new feature called “Video Recaps” that uses generative AI to create summaries of TV shows. This feature aims to help viewers catch up on previous seasons of their favorite shows, with theatrical-quality recaps that include synchronized narration, dialogue, and music. The feature will initially be available in beta for select Prime Originals, such as “Fallout,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” and “Upload.” This move is part of a larger trend of streaming services exploring the use of AI to enhance the viewing experience.
Prime Video had previously launched a similar feature called “X-Ray Recaps,” which provides text-based summaries of seasons, episodes, or parts of episodes. However, the new Video Recaps feature takes this to the next level by creating video summaries that are more immersive and engaging. While some viewers may find these video summaries helpful, others may find them obtrusive or prefer to watch the actual episodes instead of a recap.
Other streaming services, such as YouTube TV and Netflix, are also experimenting with AI-powered features. YouTube TV’s “Key Plays” feature helps viewers catch up on sports games, while Netflix is using generative AI in the production of its shows and movies. For example, Netflix used AI to create a scene of a building collapsing in the Argentine show “The Eternaut” and to make characters look younger in the film “Happy Gilmore 2.”
The use of AI in the film and TV industry has sparked debate, with some artists expressing concerns that these tools could replace human creators or endanger their livelihoods. However, others argue that AI can be a useful tool to speed up tedious tasks and free up artists to focus on more creative work. As the use of AI in the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how streaming services balance the benefits of AI with the potential risks and challenges. Overall, Amazon’s Video Recaps feature is a significant development in the use of AI in streaming services, and it will be worth watching to see how it is received by viewers and how it impacts the future of the industry.