Google needs Hollywood more than the studios need AI

<figure> <img alt="An AI-generated image of Yoda holding a lightsaber." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Disney" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/ai-label-3.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google has <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-08-31/how-google-is-courting-hollywood-to-use-its-ai-tools">reportedly been reaching out</a> to a number of Hollywood's biggest studios, hoping to strike licensing agreements that would allow it to train its AI models on copyrighted material in exchange for massive piles of cash. In theory, these deals would be a win-win: a huge financial boon to the studios that would also give Google a significant advantage in its race to outpace other AI companies. But while there's little downside for Google, these deals pose a distinct set of risks to each of the studios that might be thinking about going all-in on AI. Getting into bed with Google this way <em>might</em> benefit Hollywood in the short term, but …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/987429/google-needs-hollywood-more-than-the-studios-need-ai">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>