Entertainment company Lionsgate has brought on Kathleen Grace as its first Chief AI Officer. Grace will work with Vice Chairman Michael Burns and senior leadership to oversee the studio’s AI strategy and implementation. Her responsibilities include developing tools to support filmmakers, driving efficiencies across production, marketing, distribution, and administrative operations, and advancing efforts to protect the studio’s intellectual property and that of its talent partners.

She will report to CEO Jon Feltheimer and join the senior decision-making team.

Grace previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Vermillio, an AI platform focused on licensing and protecting intellectual property and likeness. There, she worked to enable content owners and talent to track, authenticate, and receive compensation for the use of their work in AI models.

“Kathleen understands the AI ecosystem from the perspective of creators and IP holders alike, and she is the right person to lead our team forward in this exciting, complex, and nuanced environment,” said Feltheimer.

“We’re proud to see Kathleen step into a pioneering role as the first Chief AI Officer at a Hollywood studio,” said Dan Neely, Co-Founder and CEO of Vermillio.

Grace said she looks forward to working with Lionsgate’s executives to support existing AI initiatives and further develop the studio’s strategy.

Earlier in her career, Grace led New Form, a digital studio backed by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and Discovery Communications, where she developed more than 40 pilots and sold nearly 25 series to platforms including TBS, go90, Freeform, Quibi, and Refinery29. She also led YouTube’s global Spaces initiative, launching creator studios in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Tokyo. Her creator credits include The Burg, The All for Notes, and 365 Days of Love with Sofía Vergara.