There is a wide range of technologies—some emerge, others fade away, but few have caused as much impact as artificial intelligence (AI). Some rightly consider AI the pinnacle of technology. And there is some truth to this: can any other technology aspire to be credited, even in the future, with possessing thinking skills comparable to humans? However, not everyone shares optimism about AI—experts have repeatedly expressed concerns that it will start taking away jobs from people. At the very least, it poses serious competition.
We posed several pressing questions to AI about its role in the film industry, and here’s what it had to say:
Last year, during the Venice Film Festival, actors staged a protest against the use of artificial intelligence in the film industry. What are your thoughts on this?
Actors staged a protest at the Venice Film Festival, expressing their concern about these aspects. They may have felt that the use of AI threatens the natural essence of acting skills and individuality in their work. These concerns are important to discuss as they pertain to the future of the entire industry. It’s crucial to find a balance between innovation and preserving key aspects of human creativity.
Will the use of AI destroy the acting profession in cinema?
The use of artificial intelligence in the film industry is unlikely to completely destroy the acting profession. While AI may alter some aspects of film production, such as pre-generating content or character animation, the human element in acting remains central. Emotional interaction, intuitive understanding of human feelings, and the ability to convey complex emotions through facial expressions, gestures, and intonations remain unique human qualities that are difficult to replicate artificially.
Instead of destroying the profession of actors, AI can become a tool that expands creative possibilities and opens up new forms of expression. For example, actors can use AI to create computerized versions of themselves to perform dangerous stunts or to play younger or older versions of themselves. Thus, AI can complement and enhance acting skills rather than replace them.
However, it’s important to engage in a dialogue among filmmakers, actors, and the audience about how these technologies should be used to ensure that innovations serve to enhance filmmaking rather than diminish the quality of art.
Will the implementation of AI make movies more engaging, or will the performance of live actors remain the determining factor?
The integration of artificial intelligence into cinema can add new levels of excitement and innovation to films, especially through the enhancement of special effects, characters, and even plotlines. AI can assist in creating more complex and realistic visual effects, as well as in realizing ideas that would be impossible or too costly to achieve through traditional methods. For example, AI can generate unique worlds or characters that can captivate audiences with their novelty and detail.
However, live actor performances remain a key element that gives films depth and emotional connection. The ability of actors to convey deep emotions, moments of human vulnerability, and interpersonal relationships through their performances is often what makes cinema truly captivating and meaningful to audiences.
Thus, while AI can enhance many aspects of a film and make it more spectacular, the true power of cinema will still depend on the ability of actors to breathe life into their characters and connect with the audience on a profound level. AI and live actors can work together, complementing each other, to create richer and more compelling cinematic experiences.
In 10 years, will live actors continue to be used or will AI fully replace them?
In 10 years, live actors will likely still play a key role in cinema. Despite the ongoing development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of filmmaking, a complete replacement of live actors by AI is unlikely in the foreseeable future.