Nicolas Cage has expressed strong reservations about the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that it poses a threat to the authenticity of artistic performances. During his acceptance speech for the best actor award at the Saturn Awards for his role in "Dream Scenario," Cage criticized AI, stating that allowing robots to alter performances is a "dead end" because "robots cannot reflect the human condition."
Cage praised the director Kristoffer Borgli for his work on the film but shifted focus to the broader issue of AI in the arts. He emphasized the importance of art in mirroring the human experience, a task he believes robots are incapable of performing. Cage argued that if actors permit even minimal AI interference in their performances, it could lead to a complete erosion of artistic integrity, driven solely by financial interests.
He urged artists to protect their authentic expressions from AI influence, warning that allowing robots to dictate artistic output would result in art devoid of heart and human response. Cage's comments resonate with a growing concern among actors and filmmakers about the encroachment of AI into creative fields.
The use of AI has been particularly contentious in voice acting, where it has been used to recreate entire performances, even in major video games. Voice actors such as Ned Luke from "Grand Theft Auto 5" and Doug Cockle from "The Witcher" have spoken out against AI, highlighting its potential to undermine their livelihoods.
In the film industry, opinions on AI are mixed. While Tim Burton has described AI-generated art as "very disturbing," Zack Snyder advocates for embracing the technology rather than resisting it.
Nicolas Cage has warned against the use of AI. Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty Images.
