“That’s where I draw the line.” The director has a strong opinion on artificial intelligence in the 7th art.
He was one of the first to talk about Artificial Intelligence in cinema to the general public, through the filmAI Artificial Intelligence (project initially developed by Stanley Kubrick), released in theaters in 2001. And now that AI is everywhere in Hollywood, for real,Steven Spielberg must take a stand.
The filmmaker delivers a clear answer: yes to the tool, no to the replacement of human creation. During a recent intervention on the podcast IMO of Michelle Obama et Craig Robinsonthe director recognizes that AI can have useful uses, particularly outside the artistic process: “JHe thinks AI can help find solutions to medical problems“, he explains. But when it comes to creation, the position is much firmer, like a red line;
“Where I don’t like AI is when it makes decisions or there’s an empty chair at the writers’ table. I’m not ready to replace it, because I don’t really believe in artificial consciousness. I don’t believe there is a substitute for the soul.”
Steven Spielberg adds that he doesn’t believe in the idea that a machine can sense or surpass humans in this area:
“A computer that thinks it feels more than we do is contrary to the way I was raised and the way I will continue to do my job.“
If he nevertheless imagines a future where l’IA could help to alleviate certain production tasks – such as location scouting – he categorically refuses to allow her to intervene in artistic decisions:
“Don’t tell me how to write my characters’ dialogue. Don’t tell me where to put the camera. And don’t tell me what the set should look like, unless the AI is just another tool for the production designer. Use AI as a tool, but not as the final say on anything creative. That’s where I draw the line!”
