AI films are now eligible for the Oscar awards
While AI tools can replicate voices and visuals, critics argue they lack the emotional depth to produce award-winning storytelling.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially made films that incorporate AI eligible for Oscars, reflecting AI’s growing influence in cinema. Updated rules confirm that the use of generative AI or similar tools will neither help nor harm a film’s chances of nomination.
These guidelines, shaped with input from the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, aim to keep human creativity at the forefront, despite the increasing presence of digital tools in production.
Recent Oscar-winning films have already embraced AI. Adrien Brody’s performance in The Brutalist was enhanced using AI to refine his Hungarian accent, while Emilia Perez, a musical that claimed an award, used voice-cloning technology to support its cast.
Such tools can convincingly replicate voices and visual styles, making them attractive to filmmakers instead of relying solely on traditional methods, but not without raising industry-wide concerns.
The 2023 Hollywood strikes highlighted the tension between artistic control and automation. Writers and actors protested the threat posed by AI to their livelihoods, leading to new agreements that limit the use of AI-generated content and protect individuals’ likenesses.
Actress Susan Sarandon voiced fears about unauthorised use of her image, and Scarlett Johansson echoed concerns about digital impersonation.
Despite some safeguards, many in the industry remain wary. Animators argue that AI lacks the emotional nuance needed for truly compelling storytelling, and Rokit Flix’s co-founder Jonathan Kendrick warned that AI might help draft scenes, but can’t deliver the depth required for an Oscar-worthy film.
Alongside the AI rules, the Academy also introduced a new voting requirement. Members must now view every nominated film in a category before casting their final vote, to encourage fairer decisions in this shifting creative environment.
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