Films made with AI can win Oscars, Academy says

Films created with artificial intelligence (AI) can win Oscars. This is according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

On Monday, the Academy announced new rules. They stated that using AI will not affect nomination chances.

Generative AI can create text, images, audio, and video from simple prompts. It helped produce films that won awards in March. However, the Academy will still consider human involvement when selecting winners.

The new eligibility language was recommended by the Science and Technology Council.

Additionally, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category. This is required for participation in final voting for winners.

The use of AI became a hot topic after Adrian Brody won Best Actor at this year's Oscars. His film, The Brutalist, used generative AI to improve his Hungarian accent.

It was later revealed that similar technology enhanced singing voices in Emilia Perez, an Oscar-winning musical.

AI's ability to quickly alter tone and style has made it popular in film and music production. However, its use remains controversial among artists and actors.

Many have expressed concerns about how AI affects their livelihoods. During the 2023 Hollywood strikes, actors and screenwriters voiced fears about losing jobs to AI.

Actress Susan Sarandon shared her worries on a picket line. She said it’s troubling if someone can use her likeness without consent.

Screenwriters are also concerned studios may replace them with tools like ChatGPT for writing tasks.

Agreements reached between unions and studios included safeguards around AI use after the strikes ended.

While some actors embrace technology, others warn against potential misuse of their image. Scarlett Johansson has spoken out about these risks as well.

Animators told the BBC in 2024 that generative AI isn't yet good enough to match their work quality. Jonathan Kendrick from Rokit Flix compared it to having a bad writer assist you.

He noted that while AI might create an outline, it cannot deliver emotional depth needed for award-winning content.