The cinema and AI: the Oscars unveil their new eligibility rules

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in charge of presenting the Oscars every year, has announced new rules regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the film industry. Actors and screenplays created from AI will no longer be eligible for awards. Only roles listed in the official film credits that can be proven to have been played by humans with their consent will be considered for recognition.

The Academy stated that scripts must be written by humans to be eligible. They also reserve the right to question a film’s team about the use of generative AI if there are uncertainties about the extent of human involvement. However, the Academy does not ban the use of AI in film creation, mentioning that these tools do not impact the chances of receiving a nomination.

The President of the Academy, Lynette Howell Taylor, emphasized that human contribution will remain central to the award criteria despite the evolving landscape of AI. The discussion surrounding AI in the film industry has intensified, exemplified by the upcoming release of “As Deep as the Grave,” featuring a digitally recreated performance by the late actor Val Kilmer.

The rise of artificial intelligence has raised concerns among cinema professionals, who see it as a threat to traditional craftsmanship and a risk to jobs in the film industry. The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA underscored the need for responsibility in AI development to protect human talent’s ability to earn a living. These discussions reflect a broader debate on the impact of AI on the future of filmmaking.