LOS ANGELES — Google is pursuing a new collaboration with Hollywood to influence how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is portrayed in entertainment, aiming to counter the prevalent depiction of technological advances as ominous or dystopian. The initiative, called 100 Zeros, is a partnership between Google and Range Media Partners, a talent management and production company, and seeks to shape the narrative around technology while experimenting with emerging content formats and forging stronger ties with industry talent.

One of the efforts under this umbrella is “Sweetwater,” a short film starring Kyra Sedgwick and directed by Michael Keaton, which presents artificial intelligence as a comforting presence. In the film, Sedgwick plays an AI hologram of a deceased actress who connects with a grieving son, with Google’s AI researchers advising on the technical plausibility of the concept. This project epitomizes Google’s goal to foster portrayals of AI that highlight its potential for empathy and connection instead of fear.

100 Zeros intends to launch a slate of microdramas—short, serialized episodes designed for mobile viewing—on the Google TV streaming app starting in December. These productions serve as testbeds for Google’s AI-driven production technologies and offer new creative opportunities for producers and actors. Among the 30-episode series is “Dateable,” a reality show produced by Mike Fleiss, creator of “The Bachelor,” which follows a woman seeking love before turning 30, with the use of an Android phone integrated into the storyline.

Jonathan Zepp, head of entertainment content and platforms at Google, noted that mainstream media often misrepresents technology in ways that are “a bit misinformed,” emphasizing the importance of accurate and authentic storytelling about the societal impact of technological innovation. Range Media Partners, which represents high-profile talent such as Bradley Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Halle Berry, facilitates Google’s access to creative professionals. Peter Micelli, co-founder and CEO of Range, said the partnership has helped reduce resistance to AI among industry clients by highlighting its positive potential.

Although 100 Zeros remains a relatively small player compared to the entertainment ventures of other tech giants such as Apple and Amazon, it demonstrates a growing trend of technology companies embedding themselves in Hollywood’s storytelling apparatus. Google’s involvement ranges from financing projects to integrating its products organically into narratives, expanding beyond traditional product placement through early-stage development and production roles.

The partnership is also exploring nontraditional content forms, including virtual and augmented reality experiences using Android XR, Google’s operating system for smart glasses. Notable examples premiered at the recent Venice Film Festival include “Nevatars,” an interactive animated story allowing audiences to converse with AI characters, and “Galápagos: The Last Eden,” a nature documentary featuring an interactive digital Charles Darwin, narrated by Margot Robbie.

Despite some skepticism from artists—Sedgwick described Google’s efforts as “self-serving” and expressed concerns about portrayals of AI as “kind and loving and slightly human” being potentially problematic—she acknowledged the value of tech companies investing resources in supporting genuine filmmaking. This sentiment underscores the delicate balance Google must maintain between influencing narratives and respecting creative independence.

Google’s broader ambitions in entertainment are evident in other initiatives such as its partnership with independent studio A24 to develop AI tools for filmmakers, which has sparked debate among cinephiles wary of AI’s impact on artistic processes. As technology increasingly intersects with culture, Google’s 100 Zeros reflects an effort by the company to shape both the stories told on screen and potentially, public perceptions of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.