Japan's Fuji TV will build a system that allows it to use AI in all dramas it produces in-house by October 2027. After confirming it can cut workloads by up to 80 percent in some video production processes, it is accelerating broadcasting production innovation using AI.

Fuji TV plans to expand its use of generative AI by designating at least 1 drama per quarter as an “AI-enhanced lineup” starting with last month’s broadcasts, Japanese outlet ITmedia recently reported.

The project is being carried out around an experimental base, an AI Sandbox, set up at the Tokyo Wangan Studio. Fuji TV established an in-house AI centre in July and began operating the AI Sandbox in September. Its drama production and technology departments and AI specialist company ANDENT are working together to verify how the technology can be used on actual filming sites.

It has already applied AI technology to several works, including the drama series “Kyuumei Byoutou 24-ji” (救命病棟24時) now on air. Before filming, it visualised scenes envisioned by directors with AI and shared them with production staff, and used AI to depict complex medical scenes or accident sites that are difficult to film in reality.

In particular, for an explosion accident scene in episode 1 of “Kyuumei Byoutou 24-ji”, it generated virtual aerial footage with AI and then composited the acting. It is a case where Fuji TV overcame practical constraints such as filming locations and safety issues by combining existing visual effects (VFX) technology with AI.

Efficiency has also improved. Fuji TV said it reduced labour requirements by up to 70 to 80 percent compared with existing methods in some video production processes. It added that this was a verification result for specific processes and does not mean overall drama production costs or total work time fell by the same ratio.

Shinya Masaki (마사키 신야), head of technology for the AI Sandbox, explained: "Rather than producing all video with AI, we are choosing production methods suited to each work by combining it with existing VFX."

Fuji TV aims to expand its AI experience to the group’s video production affiliates and, in fiscal 2029, for the entire group to secure top-level AI utilisation capabilities in Japan. It plans to do so while reducing burdens on production sites and increasing diversity and safety in video expression.