KUALA LUMPUR: Students need not worry about finding jobs in the film industry because artificial intelligence (AI) can never replace human agency and creativity, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said that while AI is transforming the way films are made, it should be viewed as a tool to enhance creativity rather than a replacement for human talent.
“Things are changing, but we will change with the times. You can use AI to create storyboards, moodboards or even refine your script, but it will never truly capture the heart of the story,” he said in his keynote address during the launch of a film festival at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) yesterday.
The two-day TAR UMT Film Festival 2025, which ends today, is themed “Al-Kisah – The Wonders of Asian Folklore” and showcases short films produced by its students.
It is jointly organised by the varsity’s Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI), and the FCCI Student Representative Council.
Fahmi also reminded students and filmmakers of their moral responsibility to use technology ethically and thoughtfully.
“We should be comfortable understanding the limitations of this technology but never abandon our human faculty. Don’t surrender everything to AI,” he said.
Also present at the launch were TAR UMT board of governors and alumni council chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei and National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.
In his opening speech, Chan said the festival’s theme focusing on the Asian dragon reflects the values and traditions that continue to inspire young filmmakers.
Chan added that the festival exemplifies TAR UMT’s vision of nurturing students beyond the classroom.
“By exploring these timeless stories, our students are not just making films; they are connecting with our shared heritage and contributing to the propagation of our national identity through culture,” he said.
Fahmi, meanwhile, praised the varsity and its students for their creativity and commitment to nurturing Malaysia’s film industry and cultivating an appreciation for local storytelling.
“I applaud TAR UMT and the faculty for organising this festival because we are building a culture of watching films and trying to understand together,” he said.
