James Cameron is recognized for his perceptive remarks on a variety of subjects, and he has expressed his opinions on generative AI. The 70-year-old filmmaker, renowned for blockbuster films such as Titanic and the Avatar franchise, recently elaborated on the influence of generative AI in the realm of filmmaking. In an interview with Screen Daily, Cameron highlighted the necessity for artists to “master” generative AI to harness its capabilities effectively. He remarked, “I can’t think of anything coming up that is bigger and more important to us right now than confronting this generative AI issue. It is critical that we master it and control it so that it remains an artistic tool and it doesn’t replace artists.”
Cameron, celebrated for his eloquent and opinionated demeanor, has consistently been at the vanguard of visual effects technology. The emergence of generative AI has incited debate in Hollywood, yet Cameron provides a composed viewpoint. He conveyed to Screen Daily, “There are some very dangerous things ahead of us right now, but I’ve never been afraid of new technology. I want to learn it, I want to master it for myself, then use my own best judgment about how I apply it to my personal art.”
Cameron characterized the present landscape of AI as a “wild west,” encouraging filmmakers and those in television to set guidelines for its application. He also featured on the Boz to the Future podcast, where he explored how generative AI could assist filmmakers in lowering expenses for effects-heavy productions, citing Dune as an illustration. However, he emphasized that this should not entail job reductions. “Now that’s not about laying off half the staff and at the effects company,” he remarked to Variety. “That’s about doubling their speed to completion on a given shot, so your cadence is faster and your throughput cycle is faster, and artists get to move on and do other cool things and then other cool things, right? That’s my sort of vision for that.”
Cameron’s stance is in harmony with his enduring support for emerging technologies such as CGI and performance capture, evident in films like Terminator 2 and Avatar. While CGI and performance capture necessitate human involvement, certain advocates of generative AI contend that the technology could produce screenplays or films without any human contribution. At present, the utilization of AI in Hollywood remains a contentious subject, with organizations like SAG-AFTRA negotiating with major studios.