Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a tool—it’s an active force in shaping how stories are told. For the first time, AI directed and produced a high-quality commercial, marking a historic moment not just for filmmaking, but for higher education, marketing, and the future of content creation.
As a long-time advocate for innovation in branding and storytelling, I had the privilege of working with Claremont Graduate University (CGU) on this groundbreaking project. Partnering with Zillion Creative and Grammy-nominated, Clio Award-winning director Grady Hall, we introduced StanGPT, a custom AI Director, to oversee the entire creative process. This wasn’t just an experiment—it was a real-world execution of AI and human creativity working together at the highest level.
Why Claremont Graduate University? #CGU100
CGU has always been a pioneer in education, research, and innovation. As the university celebrates 100 years of shaping future leaders, it is also embracing the technologies that will define the next century. AI is no longer something to fear—it is something to understand, integrate, and harness for meaningful progress.
This commercial serves as more than just a marketing piece; it is a statement—a demonstration of how AI can enhance storytelling while still preserving the human touch.
How AI Became the Director
StanGPT, named in honor of visionary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, was custom-trained to handle concepting, scripting, shot selection, editing, and post-production.
AI wasn’t just assisting—it was leading the process, making creative decisions and working alongside a human team to ensure the final product was not only visually compelling but also aligned with CGU’s legacy and mission.
Key elements of AI’s role in this project:
- Generating and refining the creative concept
- Structuring and writing the script
- Organizing and selecting archival footage
- Assisting in editing and visual effects
- Enhancing efficiency while maintaining storytelling integrity
What This Means for the Future of Advertising and Higher Education
The debate around AI’s role in content creation is heating up. Some fear it will replace human creativity, while others see it as an amplifier of human ingenuity. This project proved that AI doesn’t eliminate the need for human storytellers—it empowers them.
For CGU, this marks a bold step into the future, showcasing how AI can be integrated into education, research, and creative industries. For brands and agencies, this project is proof that AI-directed content is no longer theoretical—it’s happening now.
Final Thoughts
The way we create, distribute, and engage with content is evolving at lightning speed. AI is no longer on the horizon—it’s here. The question isn’t whether AI will change storytelling, but how we choose to embrace and shape this new era.
CGU, Grady Hall, and Zillion Creative have set a new benchmark. The future of branded storytelling is unfolding before us, and I’m excited to be part of it.
What do you think? Is AI the next great creative partner, or are we heading into uncharted territory? Let’s start the conversation.
Starr Hall, Publicist