Netflix used generative AI to produce 17 minutes of footage for its documentary The American Experiment twice as fast and at half the cost, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said. The documentary features actor Martin Sheen as the voice of George Washington and includes appearances by former U.S. vice presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence. Netflix plans to spend up to $20 billion on content creation this year, up from $17.1 billion in 2025, amid rising competition in streaming, according to fortune.com.
Sarandos explained that generative AI has been integrated primarily into post-production workflows, helping creative teams maximize output efficiency. So far in 2026, Netflix’s creative partners have used AI workflows in 300 titles. The AI tools have allowed productions to include key shots and sequences that might have been cut due to budget or crew limitations. Despite these advances, Netflix’s revenue growth has slowed from 16% in Q1 2026 to 12% projected for Q3, and its stock fell 9% after earnings were released, per fortune.com.
The use of AI in content production reflects a broader industry trend as streaming platforms face pressure to control rising costs while increasing output. Netflix’s $20 billion content budget this year underscores the scale of investment needed to compete. By leveraging AI to reduce production time and expenses, Netflix aims to maintain its content pipeline amid slowing subscriber growth and intensifying competition. This approach may influence how other studios adopt AI technologies in filmmaking and post-production processes.
Netflix’s integration of generative AI into 300 titles this year highlights the growing role of AI in entertainment production. The American Experiment’s AI-enhanced footage serves as a notable example of how studios are adopting these technologies to manage costs and accelerate workflows, according to fortune.com.