Films made with AI can win Oscars, Academy says

Films created with artificial intelligence (AI) can win Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this on Monday. They stated that AI use 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 choosing winners.

The new eligibility rules for AI-made films were suggested by the Science and Technology Council. Additionally, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category before voting on winners.

AI's role in film gained attention after Adrian Brody won Best Actor for his role in *The Brutalist*. The film used generative AI to improve his Hungarian accent. Similar technology enhanced singing voices in the Oscar-winning musical *Emilia Perez*.

AI's ability to quickly alter tone and style has made it popular in film and music production. However, its use is controversial. Many artists worry about how AI affects their work and livelihoods.

During the 2023 Hollywood strikes, actors and screenwriters expressed concerns about losing jobs to AI. Actress Susan Sarandon said using someone's likeness without consent is problematic. Screenwriters fear studios may replace them with tools like ChatGPT for writing tasks.

Agreements reached between unions and studios included safeguards around AI use. Some actors embrace the technology, while others warn against potential misuse of their image.

Animators told the BBC that generative AI cannot yet match their award-winning quality. Jonathan Kendrick from Rokit Flix compared it to having a bad writer assist you. He believes an AI cannot create work with emotional depth needed for an Oscar-winning film.