Why Conservation Organizations Won’t Be Turning To AI Video
There’s so much talk these days about the emergence of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact on various niches. So let me put on my hip waders and jump right into the weeds: Will AI videos impact my 10+career as a professional conservation filmmaker and producer in Canada? Will Canadian conservation nonprofits and organizations turn to AI videos to be their video content? The answer is absolutely NO! to both.
My prediction is this: Conservation filmmakers will continue to film and produce videos and films, and conservation organizations will continue to seek out conservation videographers, filmmakers, and conservation photographers to do just that.
I know, I sound very, very confident as AI looms large nowadays. But when it comes to conservation storytelling and video and films, I truly believe that AI is no solution to professional video content and environmental visual storytelling.
Here are just a few reasons:
Authenticity Is Irreplaceable
From the rustling of leaves in a dense hardwood forest to the subtle movements of a shrew in its natural habitat, authenticity and being in nature cannot be artificially recreated.
Why conservation organizations will stick with filmmakers:
- Conservation organizations will always aim to showcase real-world challenges and successes. AI-generated content may feel fabricated, undermining the trust of their audience.
- Real footage resonates emotionally with viewers, creating a deeper connection to the cause.
The Real Experience Will Always Matter
Professional filmmakers don’t just capture visuals. We craft stories. We immerse ourselves in the field, get muddy, interact with the environment and weave narratives that reflect the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the researchers and volunteers who protect them. We’re able to do this because we’re there, feeling, sensing, interacting, learning, and experiencing the environment.
Why AI will always fall short:
- AI-generated videos lack the ability to understand context or create nuanced stories grounded in real-world experiences.
- Real boots-on-the-ground storytelling in conservation isn’t just about visuals; it’s about capturing the real passion, dedication, and expertise that professionals bring to the field, grasslands, forests, lakes, and oceans.
Conservation Is About Real-World Impact
Conservation organizations rely on videos, films, and documentaries to document and share the tangible results of their actions. This includes researching animal populations, showcasing habitat restoration, and highlighting human-wildlife coexistence. The truth: AI-generated content cannot replace the role of real video as a visual record of these real-world achievements.
Why conservation organizations will stick with filmmakers:
- Nature-interested donors, stakeholders, and supporters need (and want!) to see actual progress, not AI simulations.
- Videos serve as historical documentation, preserving the reality of ecosystems and species at specific moments in time.
Audiences Crave Connection, Not Perfection
AI-generated videos might look flawless, but that perfection often feels sterile. Professional filmmakers capture the imperfections of nature, including the unpredictability of weather, the rawness of the wild. All these things make our work relatable, immersive, and engaging.
Why conservation needs real footage:
- Humans connect with the raw, unscripted moments in nature. A heron plunging its beak at lightning speed at a fish beneath the surface and coming up empty, or a wildlife researcher’s joy at suddenly sighting a species at risk conveys emotion that AI can’t replicate.
- Authenticity builds trust, which is critical for conservation messaging and fundraising.
Filmmakers Bring Human Expertise and Insight
Nature and conservation filmmakers are more than camera operators. We are also field experts, amateur naturalists, ecologists, and storytellers at heart. Our presence in the field enables us to capture rare moments, understand ecological dynamics, and present information accurately.
AI limitations:
- Truth bomb: AI relies on pre-existing data and models, which may perpetuate inaccuracies or outdated information.
- AI cannot replace the intuition and adaptability of a filmmaker navigating unpredictable natural environments.
Conservation Ethics Aren’t Changing
Does a conservation organization really want the risk? AI-generated content raises ethical concerns about transparency and representation. Conservation organizations must maintain credibility by ensuring their media reflects the truth. Misleading audiences with AI-generated imagery could harm their reputation.
Why ethics always matter:
- Conservation relies on trust to engage supporters and foster action. Misrepresentations, even unintentional, could erode that trust.
- Real footage reinforces accountability (and core ethical values) and underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.
Final words…
Let’s be real. Real stories inspire people to act. Seeing real animals, real habitats, and real conservationists at work motivates audiences and viewers to support causes.
AI-generated video content, while visually appealing, lacks the emotional resonance needed to spur action. While AI may assist in enhancing storytelling, the heart of conservation filmmaking will always belong to those willing to brave the wild to tell its stories. The planet will always need conservation filmmakers. Thank goodness.
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