According to the rules for the 99th awards ceremony recently announced by AMPAS, the acting category will only recognize roles “directly performed by humans” with the actor’s consent. This means virtual characters created by AI or “digital actors” who replicate someone else’s appearance cannot be nominated. The screenplay category also now specifies that the script “must be written by a human,” effectively blocking the possibility of awards for works created solely by AI.
This move is seen as a response to the existential threat AI poses to creators like actors and writers as the technology rapidly infiltrates film production. A recent controversy erupted when the late Val Kilmer was set to appear in director Kurt Boehrhis’s film “As Deep as the Grave” via AI. Val Kilmer passed away last year after battling laryngeal cancer, and the digital replication was done with the consent of his bereaved family. This case is cited as a prime example that triggered industry alarm, as technology replaced the “absence” of an actor.
Hollywood is viewing these regulations as more than just a limit on eligibility; it is a “symbolic declaration.” It carries significant meaning by clearly drawing a line that “the subject of art is, above all, human” amidst the rapid spread of AI.
However, the Academy has not completely banned the use of AI in film production. Technology is still permitted in supporting areas such as visual effects (VFX), post-production, and data analysis. If a controversy arises regarding the scope of AI use, the Academy has secured the authority to request additional materials to prove human contribution during the creative process. This is interpreted as a system that recognizes AI as a tool but ensures the principle that “final artistic judgment and responsibility must lie with humans.”
As the Academy, the world’s most prestigious awards ceremony, codifies these standards, similar regulations are expected to be established across global performing arts, publishing, and fine arts.
