George Lucas, the mastermind behind the galaxy-conquering Star Wars empire, has sounded off on the film industry's biggest talking point – Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking. And let's just say he's not buying into the hype of doomsday predictors who think AI will spell disaster for creative types.
Speaking candidly to A Rabbit’s Foot, Lucas fired a shot across the bows of naysayers, asserting that AI is an unstoppable force – akin to those horseless carriages his great-grandfather might have resisted back in the day. "Artificial intelligence means it's much easier for us to make movies," he declared, echoing his words on the evolution of technology. "It's very much like saying, 'Well, I believe the horse and buggy is really where it's at... There’s nothing you can do about it. That’s progress, it’s the future.'" The Star Wars legend believes clinging to traditional methods is a recipe for stagnation – a notion that will likely get some industry heavyweights riled up.
Pressed on concerns surrounding AI's potential to displace human creatives, Lucas pivoted to its game-changing capabilities. He highlighted AI's ability to sniff out authenticity, saying, "If you want AI that tells you when something is fake and where it came from, AI can do that. Humans can’t, we’re not that smart." In a nod to individual responsibility, he added, "The whole idea is you’re a human being, you’re responsible for what you say and what you do, and if you’re doing something that’s illegal you should be punished for that. Whatever you do, you should be recognised. It’s just like real life.”
The AI debate rages on, with some Hollywood heavyweights expressing disquiet about the technology's encroachment into their world. Notable dissenters include Kane Parsons and Pope Leo XIV, while Martin Scorsese has faced flak for his endorsement of an AI firm for storyboarding purposes – a move that's sparked heated discussion among industry insiders. Even actress Jodie Foster got in on the action recently, sparking controversy by suggesting that Brad Pitt film 'F1' featured some AI-generated content (though this claim remains unconfirmed). Amidst all the hubbub, Tilly Norwood – the infamous 'actress' created via AI – is poised to make her feature film debut, signifying a brave new world for AI in entertainment.