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Netflix Writes Its A.I. Culture Memo

As the technology quickly proliferates, studios are learning that it’s better to be safe than sorry, and guidance is coming faster than you can say “compliance.” But will it be enough?

Ted Sarandos
Netflix is basically telling its vendors that, yes, generative A.I. is perfectly acceptable for brainstorming and mock-ups, but don’t prompt it with copyrighted works or public figures. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com
Eriq Gardner
November 4, 2025

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On a recent Netflix earnings call, Ted Sarandos proclaimed the company “all in” on artificial intelligence. It sounded decisive—at least until you read the fine print. Per new guidelines circulated to its production partners, Netflix’s vision of the algorithmic future does not include populating prestige dramas with fabricated news broadcasts, dream-casting a second homicidal doll for a Squid Game sequel, or prompting A.I. to “create a character with Meryl Streep’s nose.” (Glad we got that cleared up.)