Nicolas Cage has strongly criticized the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that it represents a "dead end" for performers. Speaking at the Saturn Awards after receiving the best actor award for his role in Dream Scenario, Cage expressed his concerns about AI's impact on the authenticity of artistic expression.
"I have to thank Kristoffer Borgli for his direction, his writing, his editing, and for creating this incredibly disturbing but hilarious world that he dreamt up," Cage said, acknowledging the film's director. He then shifted focus to a more pressing issue: "But there is another world that is also disturbing me. It’s happening right now around all of us: the new AI world. I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us. That is a dead end if an actor lets one AI robot manipulate his or her performance even a little bit, an inch will eventually become a mile and all integrity, purity, and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only. We can’t let that happen."
Cage emphasized the essential role of art in mirroring the human experience: "The job of all art in my view, film performance included, is to hold a mirror to the external and internal stories of the human condition through the very human thoughtful and emotional process of recreation. A robot can’t do that. If we let robots do that, it will lack all heart and eventually lose edge and turn to mush. There will be no human response to life as we know it. It will be life as robots tell us to know it. I say, protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions."
Cage's stance aligns with other voices in the industry, particularly among voice actors who have faced the encroachment of AI in their field. Ned Luke, known for his role in Grand Theft Auto 5, publicly opposed a chatbot that mimicked his voice, and Doug Cockle, the voice of The Witcher, described AI as "inevitable" but "dangerous" to the livelihoods of voice actors.
Filmmakers have also weighed in on the debate. Tim Burton has labeled AI-generated art as "very disturbing," whereas Zack Snyder, director of Justice League and Rebel Moon, advocates for embracing AI rather than resisting its advancement.
