The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI

Key Points:

• The term "artificial intelligence" is often broadly applied to various technologies, overshadowing practical AI tools that assist in fields like drug discovery, medical imaging, and media upscaling without massive resource consumption.
• Dedicated fans have spent nearly a decade using AI tools to meticulously upscale Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from old LaserDisc and DVD scans, improving visual quality for modern displays despite the high costs preventing official remasters.
• AI upscaling requires careful adjustment to avoid poor results such as waxy textures and digital artifacts, highlighting that it is a tool needing skilled craftsmanship rather than an automatic fix.
• Hollywood sometimes overlooks the nuanced application of AI upscaling, exemplified by James Cameron’s inconsistent results on The Abyss, where aggressive AI processing altered the film’s original aesthetic, raising questions about artistic oversight and technology hype.