Sara Moore
Science Editor
The process of filmmaking has existed since the late 19th century, with the first motion picture being “The Horse in Motion” (1873). Over the film industry’s century-plus of existence, it has weathered many developments in technology including the introduction of sound, color and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Through all of these advancements, one factor has remained constant: the need for human beings in the creative process. However, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) threatens not only the very principle of filmmaking, but also creates new challenges when it comes to film rights and licensing.
AI is used in more films than people might think, because there is currently no consistent rule in the film industry that requires filmmakers to disclose AI usage in their movies. One of the first major uses of AI in a film was in 2019’s “The Irishman.” AI technology was combined with CGI to de-age its stars through deep-fake technology. AI has been used in other blockbusters including “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021), “Dune: Part 2” (2024) and “Alien: Romulus” (2024) to do everything from alter actors’ eye color to recreate a deceased actor. These instances of AI generally go unnoticed and are done to speed up the effects process.
AI usage becomes more controversial when images are generated to be utilized in the movie. “Late Night with the Devil” (2023) faced backlash from audiences over its use of AI to create three still images for the film. The film’s directors, Cameron and Colin Cairnes, wrote a statement to Variety saying, “we experimented with AI for three still images which we edited further and ultimately appear as very brief interstitials in the film.” As an indie film with a $2 million budget, many people were able to overlook the Cairnes’ AI usage and “Late Night with the Devil” went on to be a critical and commercial success.
Other films that have utilized generative AI have experienced less success, including “Ice Cream Man” (2026). Before its release, the film’s director, Eli Roth, came under fire after admitting to AI usage in the film, after previously stating that the images were hand-drawn. The film was further criticized, as unlike “Late Night with the Devil,” “Ice Cream Man” used generative AI to create two major sequences in the film. Many people chose to boycott the film and those who did see it did not give the film high praise. It currently sits at a 25% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.8 out of 10 stars on IMDB.
Individual films are not the only ones facing criticism over AI. A24, a popular independent film production company, faced heavy backlash this summer after announcing a $75 million partnership with Google DeepMind.
A24’s communications representative, Sophia Shin, said in a statement, “this partnership exists because we want to dictate what tools get built for artists, and so they have a voice in shaping them rather than having tools handed to them. We’d rather have a seat at the table than on the sidelines.” This partnership allows A24 to access Google’s resources, but does not grant Google access to A24’s library or require filmmakers to use the tools. The announcement came as a shock to many A24 fans, especially after the company built a 30,000-square-foot set for 2026’s smash hit “Backrooms.”
Some influential figures and entities in the film industry have worked to set boundaries for AI usage in movies. One element of both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike was the use of digital replicas and synthetic performers. Both technologies are used to create digital replicas of an actor, usually without their consent. Following years of debate, a 4-year contract was signed in 2026 between the SAG-AFTRA and many major film studios to provide protections for actors against their likeness being recreated by AI.
Despite this success, there are still limited protections for writers, artists and digital effects specialists to prevent studios from replacing their jobs with AI. Until there are consistent regulations within the film industry, it is largely up to the court of public opinion to decide if AI use is acceptable in a movie. Transparency is key when it comes to AI usage, as some movies, such as “Heretic” (2024) include a disclaimer stating no AI was used in the making of the film. Movies have long been used as a form of escapism and to explore the deepest depths of the human experience. But what happens to the film industry if computers are the ones telling these stories?
