In a context where the artificial intelligence (IA) is generating controversies in various sectors, Ben Affleckan Oscar-winning actor and director, offered a balanced perspective on his impact on the film industry. During his speech at the investors summit Delivering Alpha 2024organized by CNBCthe artist addressed the potential of this technology, noting that while AI can transform filmmaking, it will not replace human creativity. “Movies will be one of the last things, if everything is replaced, to be replaced by AI”he stated.
Affleck’s comment sparked a debate on social networks and in the field of cinema, highlighting his vision that AI could be a useful tool to reduce costs and facilitate production without eliminating the creative essence of the cinematographic process.
Affleck highlighted how AI can reduce the most labor-intensive and expensive aspects of film production. Among the benefits he pointed out are the visual effects optimization -one of the most expensive areas of the industry- and the possibility of making technical corrections such as colorization without the need to repeat shots. “I wouldn’t want to be in the visual effects business.”he commented, alluding to how this technology is already revolutionizing the sector.
AI could also democratize access to film production, reducing economic barriers for independent filmmakers. According to Affleck, this would allow more voices to be heard and would facilitate the creation of projects such as Good Will Huntingan example of a film that marked his career.
Affleck’s stance contrasts with that of other prominent Hollywood names. While James Cameron accepted the use of AI in their projects, filmmakers like Robert Downey Jr. y James Gunn They expressed their reservations, arguing that it could put the employment of artists and technicians at risk. Affleck, for his part, defends an intermediate view: AI as a complement, not a replacement.
The actor also explored innovative and controversial applications of AI, such as content customization. A hypothetical example he offered is the possibility that fans can pay to rewrite episodes of their favorite seriesmolding them to your preferences. Using the popular series Succession for reference, he commented: “Over time, AI will allow you to order your own episode. For example, you could pay for Kendall to stay with the company and have an affair with Stewy.”
This type of customization raises questions about the copyrightcreative authorship and impact on traditional film and television narratives.
Affleck’s statements caused divided reactions on social networks, separating opinions between who applaud his pragmatic vision y those who distrust technology. One viewer commented on social media: “Finally an informed view of AI and cinematography from a top actor.” However, there were also reviews who considered his position superficial, arguing that he underestimates the long-term risks of AI.
Among the most debated points was the fear that major studios could use AI to replace actors, voices and scriptscontrolling the market disproportionately. Some argued that this could limit the adoption of AI in independent productions, leaving the technology in the hands of corporations.
Affleck offered a technical explanation of how AI models work in the audiovisual context. He described AI as a tool that rearrange and recombine existing elementsbut not as a source of genuine creativity. “AI can write you excellent imitative verses that sound Elizabethan, but it can’t write you Shakespeare,” he noted, noting that This technology is based on trained models with existing data and cannot generate completely new ideas.
