Technological disruption in filmed entertainment is nothing new. From the earliest days of photochemical film for capture and projection to the modern era of digital projectors, cameras, sound, visual effects and distribution, the 120-plus year history of filmed entertainment has been one of constant innovation, collaboration, standardization and growth.

As Hollywood attempts to right the ship after a long dual assault, it’s facing a whole new wave of disruption, this time driven by recent advances in artificial intelligence. AI technologies and tools are driving a more profound shift than the industry has ever seen—or at least it feels that way.

The entertainment industry’s response to these early days of AI is reminiscent of disruptions past, with the technology generating a healthy dose of unbridled excitement but also stirring up fear, uncertainty, and doubt (not to mention copyright infringement lawsuits).

While it's uncertain whether Mark Twain actually said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes," the epigram is an apt lens to frame the current turbulence in the industry, as evidenced by several notable examples.