The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has addressed the way it evaluates the role of artificial intelligence in movies that could qualify for Oscars.
Starting with the 2027 ceremony, Oscar’s 99th, the Academy is reserving the right to inquire about the extent to which AI was used in a movie, as well as how it was used. To compete in either writing category (original or adapted screenplays), a script must have been written entirely by one or more humans who were living and breathing at the time they wrote it (read: no AI). Moreover, the Academy reserved the right to change its rules, as the ways people use AI change, but it underscored that it would remain committed to honoring the work of human beings.
Another more defined rule for the acting categories states that roles must be “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” for eligibility. AI has come under greater scrutiny recently with the release of As Deep as the Grave, a movie that uses generative AI to bring the late Val Kilmer back to the silver screen. The actor’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, has said she’s OK with the practice.
“I started off as a way to overcome the limitations of his illness, but then it evolved into something that he really was like, ‘Oh, wait. I have a chance to actually set a precedent,” she told The Today Show. “It’s kind of fallen into two camps. People that maybe have a more precarious position in the industry and are worried and see AI as a threat — which is absolutely valid — and younger people, younger actors and musicians. I’m a musician and a lot of people that I know are so scared of this technology.”
The Academy has also updated its rules for other categories. Actors may now receive more than one nomination in the same category, ostensibly competing against themselves. So now an actor like Josh O’Connor, who appeared in four movies last year, could lock out every slot of the Best Actor category but one (if his acting were good enough.)
The Academy also updated its rules for the casting and hairstyle and makeup categories. It also added regulations for how productions can campaign to win.
This article was originally published on rollingstone.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting with the 2027 ceremony, the Academy reserves the right to ask how much AI was used in a film and how. Screenplays in both writing categories must be written entirely by living humans, and acting roles must be “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” to qualify.
The updated rules take effect with the 2027 Oscars, the 99th Academy Awards ceremony. The Academy also said it reserves the right to revise the rules further as the ways people use AI evolve, while maintaining its stated commitment to honoring the work of human beings.
Under the new rules, films can still use AI, but AI use may be scrutinized during judging. A screenplay written with AI would not qualify in the writing categories, and acting nominations require human performances given with consent, limiting how far generative AI can go in key categories.
AI in film has drawn scrutiny, notably around As Deep as the Grave, which used generative AI to bring the late Val Kilmer back onscreen. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer said she supports the practice, while the article notes the industry remains split on AI between skeptics and some younger creatives.
Beyond AI, the Academy will now let actors earn more than one nomination in the same category, meaning a prolific performer could theoretically fill most of an acting field. It also revised rules for the casting, hairstyling and makeup categories, and updated how productions may campaign.
Recommended Video
- In This Article:
- Academy Awards
- AI
- Oscars
