Pinocchio director Guillermo del Toro continues to voice his vehement opposition against the use of AI in the filmmaking industry. Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival about his affinity for stop-motion animation, del Toro didn’t hold back with his criticism of generative artificial intelligence, condemning it as emotionless and inhuman.
Del Toro is far from the only auteur in Hollywood to criticize AI — Avatar director James Cameron has also emphatically emphasized his distaste for the experimental technology — but he is certainly one of the more outspoken. Speaking yesterday at the British Film Institute, del Toro bluntly revealed his perspective on AI, stating, “AI has demonstrated that it can do semi-compelling screensavers. That’s essentially that. The value of art is not how much it costs and how little effort it requires, it’s how much would you risk to be in its presence.” Although the full interview is an hour long, a short clip with del Toro’s scathing comments can be watched below:
This intense condemnation comes on the heals of SAG-AFTRA’s tireless attempts to establish protections against AI for actors in the industry. Current SAG-AFTRA bills have been addressing recent behavior among corporations such as Disney where actors’ images, voices, and movements are co-opted with the intent of replicating them for future content without the actors’ consent, and typically without offering compensation. Although del Toro’s dislike for AI might simply be perceived as an artistic difference of opinions, there are genuine consequences for actors when corporations and industries continue to promote the use of AI, which may be why del Toro is so outspoken against it.
What Can AI Do That Filmmakers Can’t?
One of del Toro’s biggest criticisms against AI is that it’s incapable of facilitating an emotional response among audiences and produces cheap, unfeeling art as a result. However, proponents of AI argue that it’s a technological advantage, capable of creating fantastical environments and unrealistic character designs or costumes. Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has also suggested that AI could be used to edit out certain set pieces, such as protective wires for dangerous stunts.
The extraordinary success of del Toro’s entire filmmaking career represents just how unnecessary AI has always been in the entertainment industry. Films like Pan’s Labyrinth brought a breathtakingly beautiful fairy tale setting to life with animatronics, makeup, and practical effects, while Pacific Rim conjured up a sci-fi universe with an enormous monster solely through visual and special effects. Although these techniques may be expensive and time-consuming — and often require enlisting the help of animators, who are typically part of a union — they are impossible to truly replicate, even with the seemingly cost-savvy shortcuts of generative AI.
