Everything you need to know about the Oscars’ AI controversy

A recent backlash has emerged in response to several Oscar-nominated films using AI to achieve authenticity. The controversy began when editor Dávid Jancsó revealed that AI voice technology was used in The Brutalist to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. Director Brady Corbet downplayed the significance of AI in the film, stating it was used to preserve the authenticity of the actors' performances. Similar revelations have since emerged about other Oscar-nominated films, including Emilia Pérez, which used AI to enhance the singing voice of star Karla Sofía Gascón. The use of AI in film has proven controversial due to concerns about job loss and the potential for cinematic soullessness. Visual artists and animators have not yet secured protections against AI, and the use of AI in visual effects has been particularly unpopular. The debate about AI in film has reached the Oscars, with some films using AI for visual effects, including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Dune: Part Two. However, the use of AI in these films is minimal and seems in line with traditional VFX work. The Motion Picture Academy is reportedly considering a rule that would require filmmakers to disclose when their films use AI. Some filmmakers are taking a proactive approach, with the A24 horror movie Heretic including a caption in its end credits stating that no generative AI was used in the making of the film.