Ever since AI tools came into the mainstream, filmmakers, writers, and actors have been struggling to figure out whether these technologies can truly aid their creativity or whether they can replace humans. But before getting swept up in the debate, we need to address a bigger concern: AI can’t run without huge data centers and energy infrastructure.
A new joint venture, called Utopie East, aims to meet that need by developing infrastructure specifically for producing movies and TV shows using AI. The investment firm’s share in the joint venture is 50-50. Stock Farm Road (SFR) and AI Film and Television Production Company Utopie Studio,
SFR, co-founded by Brian Koo (grandson of LG Group founder Koo In-hwoi) and Amin Badr-El-Din, founder and chief executive of BADR Investments, is contributing capital to the joint venture along with creative expertise and industry contacts. Meanwhile, Utopie is providing the technology, workflow, and infrastructure.
The project will also include co-production of film and television projects and expanding access to Korean intellectual property to international audiences. According to Seilica Shen, co-founder and CEO of Utopie Studios, production will begin using existing infrastructure and the company expects the first piece of content from this collaboration to be released next year.
Ku told TechCrunch that in the short term, AI use will primarily be about reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
“But beyond that, we’re very excited about the new possibilities that AI opens up. As we connect with creators, we’re exploring what entirely new things might be possible. Right now, some of our initial focus is on creators in Korea,” Koo said. “Just as short-form content was a novelty when it first emerged, we see opportunities for new approaches. We are not only working with established directors in cinema, but also with young, innovative creators who are not limited to traditional films.”
But novelty alone won’t address the concerns of people working in the entertainment industry or consuming content. AI may one day replace people in creative roles acting, performingAnd WriteYet it often lacks the depth, nuance and emotional resonance of human storytelling. It has sparked widespread debate about the value of human creativity in an age when machines can mimic, but not completely replicate, human touch.
techcrunch event
san francisco
,
October 13-15, 2026
But Shen and Kuo say their use of AI is only aimed at improving existing processes. “These questions have been at the heart of everything we create at Utopie Studios,” said Shen. “From the beginning, our focus was never on automation. Our workflow is designed to work with filmmakers, not in place of them. We still need writers to write, directors to direct, and actors to perform,” said Shen.
Shen said that every model and every dataset used is fully licensed and contractually approved, ensuring that the technology respects the creators whose work makes the filmmaking possible.
“We want creators to understand that AI can expand their creative potential rather than compete with them. It can help bring their dreams to life, giving them the freedom to fully explore their creativity without worrying that AI will replace them. We believe this is going to be one of the most exciting outcomes for us,” Kuo said.
“Typically, content and IP grow sequentially – one IP develops after another – but the right technology, especially with AI, has the potential for exponential growth. This is not about AI replacing people; it can create massive value for audiences, creators and engineers,” he said.
The deal follows SFR’s recent agreement with the Jeollanam-do provincial government 3-gigawatt AI data center in South Korea,
Kuo said, “The data center is part of our larger mission at Stock Farm Road to build the backbone for the next generation of intelligence-driven industries. In addition to Utopie Studios and entertainment, we are also focusing on areas such as manufacturing, energy-to-information, AI and quantum computing. These are all interconnected areas that require the same kind of infrastructure.”
The data center will serve as the foundation for everything Utopie East is developing, and will include the entire AI infrastructure for entertainment content spanning data management, creative intelligence, production and distribution.
Although financial details of the joint venture have not been disclosed, the company said capital is coming from multiple channels, including SFR’s investment vehicles, global sovereign and institutional investors and industry partners in film and entertainment.
The joint venture will begin creating Korean content, but eventually aims to expand to other parts of Asia. “Japan has always been a great market,” making it a natural starting point for expansion, Shen said, adding that she also sees significant potential in China and Thailand.
