A nonprofit just built an entire seminar to teach documentary editors one thing: how to turn AI off. Field of Vision and the Freedom of the Press Foundation's 6th annual Digital Security Clinic added a brand-new session, "When and How to Opt Out of AI" (because popular editing software increasingly ships with AI functionality on by default, that a lot of editors don't even know is there, let alone how to switch off. That means a documentary subject's real footage may be getting touched by AI processing inside the edit, without a conscious choice ever being made. Defaults matter more than most people think) most editors use whatever's turned on out of the box, not because they chose it, but because nobody told them there was a choice. Have you actually gone into your own editing software's settings and looked for AI toggles?
Sit with that.
If you're the editor who's already quietly worried you don't fully know what your own software is doing to your footage anymore, this one's for you, not the industry in general.
The Clinic
Field of Vision + the Freedom of the Press Foundation's 6th annual Digital Security Clinic added a brand-new session: 'When and How to Opt Out of AI.'
The Real Reason It Exists
Popular video editing software increasingly ships with AI functionality on by default, that a lot of editors don't even know is there, let alone how to switch off.
What That Actually Means
A documentary subject who trusted a filmmaker with their real story may be getting touched by AI processing inside the edit, without a conscious choice ever being made.
My Honest Take
Defaults matter more than most people think. Most editors use whatever's turned on out of the box, not because they chose it, but because nobody told them there was a choice.
A Real Signal
Early signups for this session are already ahead of last year's. That's not a coincidence, that's editors realizing they need to go check.
Have You Actually Checked Your Own Software's AI Settings?
This is your reminder to go look.