Visual effects veteran Ed Ulbrich joins AI company Moonvalley

In a significant shift within the entertainment technology landscape, Ed Ulbrich, a veteran of visual effects known for his work on iconic films such as "Titanic" and "Top Gun: Maverick," has joined Moonvalley, an artificial intelligence research firm. His new role as head of strategic growth and partnerships will focus on expanding the company's network within Hollywood and enhancing collaboration with its studio division, Asteria Film. Ulbrich draws intriguing parallels between the emergence of generative AI and the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI), which transformed the film industry decades ago. Reflecting on past concerns regarding job losses due to technological advancements, he noted, "I’ve seen this before. History will show that hundreds of thousands of jobs were actually created as a result of that technological bloom." As Moonvalley seeks to carve out its niche in Hollywood, the company emphasizes its commitment to copyright integrity, utilizing only licensed materials to train its AI video model, Marey. This approach comes amid heightened scrutiny over the unauthorized use of film and TV content, exemplified by legal actions taken by two major studios against another AI entity, Midjourney. "What attracted me to Moonvalley is their dedication to the craft, their reliance on clean, licensed data, and their mission to empower creators," Ulbrich stated in a recent interview. With over 30 years of experience in visual effects and a remarkable portfolio that includes more than 500 commercial credits, Ulbrich has also made strides in live digital performances, notably through the holographic projection of the late rapper Tupac Shakur at the 2012 Coachella festival. Before his tenure at Moonvalley, Ulbrich was the chief content officer at Metaphysic, a generative AI company recognized for its groundbreaking work in digitally aging actors in films. His experience includes leadership roles at Deluxe and Digital Domain, where he served as CEO. As he embarks on this new chapter, Ulbrich is poised to influence the intersection of AI technology and creative storytelling in Hollywood.