The collaboration between former CNN correspondent Zain Verjee and Grammy award-winning director Matthew Miguel Cullen has yielded a groundbreaking AI-produced film, Ndoto, focused on portraying the impact of climate change in Africa. This venture transcends typical narratives, aiming to spotlight the harsh realities faced by the continent amid a changing climate.
Africa’s Unprecedented Climate Challenges
In the past three years, Africa has grappled with catastrophic events, from floods in Nigeria and Mali to the encroachment of the Sahara into the Sahel and a devastating drought in the Horn of Africa. These crises have not only claimed lives and property but also displaced 1.5 million people, leading to the loss of 13 million livestock in the Horn of Africa alone.
Despite contributing only 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions—merely a fraction of China’s output—Africa bears a disproportionate burden of climate change. Zain Verjee, speaking to TechCabal, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this critical issue, labeling it “the most important topic of our generation and an existential threat to humanity.”
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Ndoto: A Week-Long Marvel of AI Filmmaking
Ndoto, completed within a week, offers a poignant portrayal of the impacts of climate change. Departing from clichéd representations of Africa, the film captures the fragility and beauty of the continent, putting the human element at its core. The project utilized Runway ML, an AI-powered video creation tool, and custom software developed by Mirada Studios, founded by Matthew Cullen and Guillermo del Toro.
Thousands of images were generated using advanced AI technologies, with only a select few making it into the final cut of Ndoto. The rapid and cost-effective nature of AI filmmaking, according to Verjee, demonstrates the capacity to surpass traditional barriers, allowing Africans to craft compelling narratives.
AI as a Catalyst for Creativity
Verjee, in her conversation with TechCabal, underscores the preference for AI in filmmaking, providing an accessible platform for Africans to contribute to creative storytelling. The film serves as a testament to the harmonious synergy of algorithmic precision and human creativity, breaking new ground in the cinematic landscape.
Unveiling Africa’s Climate Story
The decision to leverage artificial intelligence in filmmaking is not new for Verjee and Cullen, who previously collaborated on “Unstoppable Africa,” showcased at the United Nations General Assembly. This earlier project featured contributions from Grammy Award-winning artist Angelique Kidjo and Nigerian singer Mr Eazi.
In addition to their film endeavors, Verjee is at the forefront of developing Wanja, an AI chatbot. This innovative chatbot, based on retrieval augmented generation, draws from The Rundown, a modern media academy co-founded by Verjee. While not yet publicly available, TechCabal’s testing indicates that Wanja possesses extensive knowledge about African climate, sports, and the creative sector.
Wanja: Shaping African Storytelling
Verjee envisions Wanja as a transformative tool to reshape African storytelling. By providing a large language model access to well-researched, authoritative, and curated datasets, the chatbot aims to deliver powerful, authentic, and credible stories. The innovative integration of AI technologies into media and storytelling demonstrates a commitment to elevating African narratives.
