Ben Affleck has shared his thoughts on the growing concern about artificial intelligence taking over the film industry. The actor, director, and producer appeared at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha investors summit, where he expressed his firm belief that AI will not replace human filmmakers anytime soon.
Affleck responded to questions about AI’s potential impact on cinema, arguing that movies would be among the last areas to be fully overtaken by technology. While acknowledging AI’s capabilities, he emphasized that the idea of AI creating entire films from scratch is “highly unlikely.”
“Movies will be one of the last things to be replaced by AI, if everything else gets replaced,” Affleck stated. “Creating a movie from nothing using AI is not possible now, and it’s highly unlikely to happen in the future.”
Affleck also pointed out that while AI can imitate specific styles or write verses that sound like Shakespeare, it cannot replicate the unique artistry that humans bring to storytelling. “AI can write an excellent imitative verse that sounds Elizabethan, but it cannot write Shakespeare,” he explained. He further clarified that filmmaking involves complex elements, such as working with actors in a room and making artistic decisions, something AI is not yet capable of handling.
He elaborated on the distinction between craftsmanship and artistry, describing AI as a “craftsman at best.” “Craftsmen can imitate techniques and create things that already exist, but they are not creating something entirely new,” Affleck noted. “Nothing new is being created by AI—not yet.” He stressed that while AI might be useful for tasks like enhancing visuals or correcting mistakes, it lacks the taste and judgment needed to create meaningful, original works.
Affleck drew a comparison between the work of craftsmen and artists, stating, “Craftsmanship is knowing how to work, but art is knowing when to stop.” He believes that AI will struggle with knowing when to stop and the nuances of human creativity that come with experience and intuition.
In conclusion, Affleck reassured that AI would not replace human filmmakers. While he acknowledged that AI could enhance aspects of production, like creating realistic backgrounds or improving efficiency, he believes the core of filmmaking will always require human input. “AI might make certain tasks easier, but it’s not going to replace human beings in making films,” he said.
Affleck’s perspective highlights the evolving role of AI in filmmaking but reinforces the idea that human creativity and artistic vision remain irreplaceable.
