Nicolas Cage, in a passionate Saturn Awards acceptance speech, decried the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that actors who allow AI to influence their performances are heading towards "a dead end." Variety reported on Cage's comments, where he emphasized the irreplaceable role of human emotion and experience in artistic expression.
"I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us," Cage stated. He argued that AI cannot authentically reflect the human condition, and that any compromise of artistic integrity for financial gain is unacceptable. He stressed the vital role of art in mirroring the human experience through a deeply personal and emotional creative process, a process, he asserted, that AI is incapable of replicating. "If we let robots do that, it will lack all heart and eventually lose edge and turn to mush," he warned.
Cage's concerns echo those of other actors, particularly in the voice acting industry, where AI-generated performances are becoming increasingly common, even in major video game titles. Ned Luke (Grand Theft Auto 5) and Doug Cockle (The Witcher) are among those who have voiced concerns about AI's impact on their livelihoods and the integrity of their work, with Cockle acknowledging AI's inevitability but highlighting its inherent dangers.
The film industry's response to AI is similarly divided. While director Tim Burton expressed deep unease about AI-generated art, Zack Snyder advocated for embracing the technology rather than resisting it.
