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AI Takes Over Hollywood: Is Your Favourite Actor Next?

Mar 28, 20242 min read

AI actors looking at lines — AI Illustration of AI Actors

In a landscape where technology continuously intersects with creativity, the recent revelation by Mamma Mia star Sara Poyzer has ignited concerns within the entertainment industry. Poyzer, renowned for her captivating performances in theatre and voice acting, took to social media to express her dismay after losing a job opportunity to artificial intelligence (AI). Despite her illustrious career and undeniable talent, the BBC opted for an AI-generated voice-over Poyzer, sparking a poignant discussion about the implications of AI integration in traditional artistic domains. This incident sheds light on broader questions surrounding the future of human creativity, the value of professional expertise, and the ethical considerations inherent in the rise of AI within the entertainment sector.

The recent labour strikes in Hollywood are just one indication of the growing unease among industry professionals regarding the increasing influence of AI on entertainment. There's a fear that AI Actors could replace human performers, leading to a loss of authenticity and human connection in storytelling.

Within organisations like SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, there's a real sense of urgency as members grapple with the potential threat AI poses to their livelihoods and the essence of storytelling itself. It's not just about financial concerns; it's about preserving the humanity and artistic integrity of the industry in an increasingly digital world.

As AI technology advances, there's a legitimate concern that human talent could be sidelined in favour of AI-driven content creation. The outcome of these labour disputes will play a crucial role in shaping the future of entertainment, ensuring that creativity and human experience remain central to media innovation.

The story of Sara Poyzer losing a role to AI might seem like a small incident, but it highlights larger questions about the role of technology in the entertainment industry. It's a reminder that we must tread carefully as we navigate the intersection of technology and creativity, ensuring that human voices and experiences are not lost in the process.

Google's £32 Billion Bet on Cloud Security: What Wiz Means for the Future of Alphabet

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19 March 2025

Connor Banks

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In a landmark move, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced its largest acquisition to date: a £32 billion all-cash deal to purchase Wiz, a fast-growing cloud security start-up. This strategic acquisition not only highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the AI era but also signals Google’s ambition to challenge Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure in the multi-billion-pound cloud computing market.

A Strategic Play for Cybersecurity Dominance

Wiz, founded in 2020 by cybersecurity veterans, has rapidly ascended as a key player in cloud security. The company specialises in providing tools that help organisations detect and mitigate security risks across major cloud platforms—including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Wiz’s emphasis on a multi-cloud approach has made it particularly attractive in a world where enterprises often rely on multiple cloud providers.

By acquiring Wiz, Google is making a bold statement: Security is now a top priority in its cloud strategy. This comes at a time when cybersecurity threats are escalating and businesses demand more robust protection against breaches, ransomware, and AI-driven attacks.

Why Google Needs Wiz

Despite being a tech giant, Google Cloud remains the third-largest cloud provider, trailing behind AWS and Microsoft Azure. While Google has made significant strides in AI and data analytics, it has struggled to gain an edge in cloud security—a crucial factor for enterprise clients.

Enhanced Security Portfolio: Wiz’s platform will strengthen Google Cloud’s security offerings, making it more competitive against Microsoft, which has invested heavily in security solutions.
Multi-Cloud Expansion: Unlike some past Google acquisitions that were integrated exclusively into Google’s ecosystem, Wiz will continue to support AWS and Azure, helping Google maintain a presence in rival platforms.
AI-Driven Security Solutions: With Google at the forefront of AI, Wiz’s security capabilities can be enhanced using AI-powered threat detection and automation, setting a new industry standard.

Regulatory & Competitive Challenges

However, this deal is not without challenges. Given the £32 billion price tag, Alphabet will face scrutiny from regulators in the UK, the US, and Europe, who may investigate the acquisition for potential anti-competitive concerns. Additionally, the move is expected to intensify competition with Microsoft and Amazon, both of whom have also been ramping up their cybersecurity investments.

While Wiz’s commitment to multi-cloud compatibility is a selling point, there is always the risk that competitors could respond aggressively, either by developing competing technologies or challenging the acquisition on regulatory grounds.

What This Means for the Future of Google

Alphabet’s bet on Wiz highlights a broader shift in Google’s business strategy:

Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought—it’s a centrepiece of cloud innovation.
Google Cloud is evolving into a true enterprise powerhouse, aiming to take market share from AWS and Microsoft.
AI and security will increasingly converge, with Google leading the charge in developing AI-driven security solutions.

With the deal expected to close in 2026, all eyes will be on how Google integrates Wiz’s platform and whether this move will finally tip the balance in the cloud computing wars.

Conclusion

Google’s acquisition of Wiz is more than just a big-ticket purchase—it’s a strategic shift that underscores the growing role of security, AI, and multi-cloud infrastructure in the future of cloud computing. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on how well Google can execute its vision and convince enterprise customers that it is the safest and smartest choice for their cloud needs.