Should Nollywood Embrace AI Without Losing Its Authenticity?

Nollywood releases thousands of films each year and remains one of Nigeria’s strongest cultural exports. Yet its growth is often shaped by outside forces, from streaming platforms and cinema schedules to the low revenue many Nigerian creators earn on global video platforms. AI is now becoming part of that conversation. Filmmakers can use it for visual effects, pre-production and other creative tasks. But AI can also influence story development and visual design, raising concerns about whether it will support creativity or replace it. I do not think Nollywood should rely heavily on AI. Many AI tools are not built around Nigerian and African cultural realities. They can produce images that seem convincing at first, but often get clothing, architecture, language, mannerisms and everyday environments wrong. Technology should strengthen a filmmaker’s original vision, not become a substitute for it. Nollywood should embrace useful tools while protecting the cultural authenticity, local knowledge and human creativity that make its stories resonate. Should AI have a limited role in Nollywood, or should the industry fully embrace it?

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