2026: The Year of Performance-Led Video

As Dave Clark (CEO of Promise Studios) put it: “We are now at an inflection point… actors + AI motion control will be all the rage in 2026.”

I agree with this sentiment. AI can now deliver highly compelling videos with no video reference, and this will only continue to improve… but there’s a really “sticky” pushback from audiences against purely AI-generated content.

Indeed, 43% of consumers say they don’t like AI-generated ads (according to Kantar’s 2025 study). Data on audience views of AI narrative content is minimal, but Netflix’s strong stance against it is a clear signal: there’s enough perceived risk of subscriber fallout for them to put strong guardrails around AI integrations, despite the potential cost savings.

I speak regularly to AI filmmakers in the space, and one view that keeps coming up is that the missing piece of the puzzle—i.e., how we get past the “AI slop” label and the creativity-destroying narrative—is to work with real actors, and have AI outputs be led by performers.

A great example of this hybrid approach is a piece I came across recently by Paul Trillo — Etherea:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-trillo-544b268_etherea-activity-7413977568795611137-lL-I?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADtXkecBH-buSAnzD1vhLLkyMKtzwfnQYms

The piece blends real dance choreography with Stable Diffusion pipelines. The story of how it’s made is as relevant as the piece itself.

I believe AI will be a quality converger… but just because something looks as good doesn’t mean it will find an audience. A key differentiator in a sea of AI content will be the stories behind the work—and the ones that will resonate will have soul. They’ll be led by real performers and actors.

See also

• Acting Pal Voice Library: Now 53 AI Voices
• Top AI Tools for Actors
• The Last 2-3 Weeks in AI Filmmaking

FAQ

Why emphasize performance-led AI video?

Audiences push back on AI-only content; pairing real performers with AI preserves authenticity and keeps the “soul” that viewers respond to.

How does motion control help?

Motion control captures precise performer movement that can guide AI pipelines, keeping the actor’s intent and nuance in the final output.

Will AI replace actors in 2026?

Unlikely. AI can accelerate production, but performer-led stories remain key to emotional resonance and audience trust.

How should brands approach AI video?

Lead with performers, use AI to enhance rather than replace, and be transparent about process to avoid the “AI slop” perception.