Artificial intelligence has already become part of documentary and television production: it assists in working with archives, generates voice-over texts, restores images, and reshapes approaches to post-production. For documentary cinema — a genre grounded in trust in reality, an authorial perspective, and ethical responsibility — this opens up not only new opportunities but also new questions: where the boundary of authorship lies, how the nature of documentary evidence is changing, and who bears responsibility for decisions made with the involvement of AI.

At the same time, the discussion around artificial intelligence is not only about ethics or philosophy but also about practice. AI is already affecting the economics of production, transforming workflows, and opening up new tools for independent and small teams while also creating legal and professional risks.

Ukraine is one of the few countries where legislation provides legal protection for content created with the assistance of AI. At the same time, what is recognized and protected in Ukraine may not carry the same authorship or ownership status in the United States or the European Union.

This professional discussion will serve as a space to discuss practical experience with AI tools, the ethical boundaries of their use, the transformation of authorship, and the legal challenges already facing today’s media landscape.

Suspilne PRO is an industry platform by Suspilne Broadcasting, created to foster professional dialogue between the public broadcaster and the broader audiovisual, media, and creative community of Ukraine. The platform brings together documentary filmmakers, producers, media professionals, and international partners around a shared goal: creating high-quality Ukrainian content and promoting it on the global market. Through panel discussions, industry events, and networking, Suspilne PRO creates an ongoing space for knowledge exchange, the development of co-productions, and partnerships.

Speakers:
Dmytro Sholomkо. Dmytro Doroshenko, Zvika Gregory Portnoy, Eli Savala

Moderator:
Olena Andriienko

Dmytro Doroshenko: Head of the Department for the Development of Creative Sectors of the Economy at the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UKRNOIVI) and one of the co-authors of the “Recommendations on the Responsible Use of AI: Intellectual Property Issues” issued by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. As a representative of UKRNOIVI, he has, for more than three years, conducted educational activities on the proper use of artificial intelligence in creative industries, advertising, media, and related fields.

He will speak about the following: “Today, Ukraine is one of the few countries in the world whose legislation provides legal protection for AI-generated content. At the same time, this may conceal a trap for content creators: what is protected in Ukraine under principles similar to copyright may not be protected in the US or the EU. How can AI be used in the creation of audiovisual content in a way that does not infringe on others’ rights while also ensuring full legal protection worldwide, not only in Ukraine?”

Dmytro Sholomko: a Ukrainian expert in digital technologies and marketing, former Head of Google Ukraine (2007–2023). He currently works with technology and miltech projects and is also an advisor to Suspilne Broadcasting of Ukraine on digital transformation. He will speak about “How artificial intelligence is transforming the documentary film industry, how it is already influencing its development, and how it is gradually reshaping the industry’s economic model.”

Zvika Gregory Portnoy: a director and cinematographer working between Poland and Israel. A graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem. He works in documentary and fiction filmmaking, visual art, and photography. His works include the award-winning films 15 Corners of the World, Light Years, and The Guest, which will be screened at Docudays UA. He is a member of the Polish Film Academy, the Polish Society of Cinematographers, and the European Film Academy.