WSJ Reporters Make Film Using Only AI: A Hilarious and Insightful Experiment

Darien, Connecticut, May 29, 2025 -- In a groundbreaking experiment, Joanna Stern, WSJ's senior personal tech columnist, and Jarrard Cole, a WSJ producer, successfully created a short film using only artificial intelligence. The project, detailed in a recently uploaded video, involved utilizing AI tools such as Google VEO 2 and 3, Runway, and ElevenLabs to generate visuals and voices. "The leaps in AI video are insane," Stern notes in the video, highlighting the rapid advancements in the technology. However, the process wasn't without its difficulties. Cole generated over 1,000 clips, and Stern emphasizes the need for human creativity and skill in the editing process, stating "they still require human creativity and skill—at least for now." The video serves as a testament to both the potential and limitations of AI in filmmaking, offering a glimpse into the future of video production. The resulting film, available at wsj.com/aifilm, is a testament to the creative potential of AI, while also underscoring the continued importance of human ingenuity in the creative process.