Actor Ashton Kutcher is under fire for promoting the use of AI, specifically OpenAI’s Sora, in movie production, sparking concerns about job losses and the future of creativity in the film industry. While Kutcher highlights the technology’s potential to streamline production processes, critics argue that outsourcing creative tasks to AI could undermine the collaborative spirit of filmmaking.
Ashton Kutcher, 46, is facing criticism for his remarks on the benefits of AI in filmmaking. During a discussion with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Kutcher suggested that entire movies could be produced using OpenAI’s latest generative video tool, Sora. He explained that this technology could create scripts and accompanying visuals, allowing individuals to generate and watch their own movies.
Critics have expressed concern over the potential job losses in the film industry, questioning the consequences of outsourcing creative processes to AI. Social media users condemned the actor’s comments, describing them as short-sighted and detrimental to the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Kutcher discussed his hands-on experience with Sora, noting its ability to generate realistic short videos and highlighting its rapid progress over the past year. He suggested that AI could be used to create scenes more cheaply and safely, such as establishing shots and action sequences, emphasizing the technology’s potential to simplify and reduce production costs.
His remarks come amid broader industry debates about AI’s role in creative fields, with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently downplaying AI’s threat to Hollywood jobs. Sarandos argued that AI would serve as a tool to enhance, not replace, the work of writers, directors, and editors.
The controversy has prompted a reexamination of AI’s role in the creative arts, with opinions divided on its benefits and drawbacks.