The Academy has made a clear statement about artificial intelligence and filmmaking. It hasn’t banned AI altogether but has set new rules to define what counts as human authorship. These changes aim to protect the artistic core of movies while still allowing AI to be used as a tool in production.

New Rules Focus on Human Performance and Writing

Starting with the 99th Oscars, acting nominations will only go to roles performed “demonstrably by humans with their consent.” This means performances created or generated by AI won’t qualify for acting awards. The same applies to screenplays, which must be “human-authored” to be eligible. Producers will need to sign an Affidavit of Human Origin, certifying that performances and scripts are created by people, not machines.

The Academy also reserves the right to ask for more details about how AI was used in making a film. If there’s doubt about the level of human involvement, it can investigate. This move makes the rules enforceable and underscores the importance of human creativity in winning an Oscar. The rules will be in effect for ceremonies starting in March 2027.

AI Can Still Play a Role in Technical Categories

The new rules do not ban AI from technical categories like visual effects, sound, or editing. For example, a visual effects artist can use AI to generate crowd scenes or de-age actors. Similarly, sound designers can use AI tools to clean dialogue or create ambient sounds. These uses are considered tools that support the creative process, not as replacing the artist or writer.

This distinction is important. It recognizes AI’s role as a helpful technology but emphasizes that the artistic performances and scripts—the heart of a film—must come from humans. The Affidavit of Human Origin is the main enforcement tool, ensuring that only human-created work gets recognized with awards. This approach balances technological progress with the industry’s values.

The timing of these rules is also significant. As AI technology advances rapidly, the Academy wants to set clear boundaries before it becomes a bigger issue. Recent examples, like the shutdown of AI video platforms, show the risks of AI-generated content that can mimic human performances. By acting now, the Academy aims to preserve the integrity of artistic recognition.

Broader Context and Industry Impact

The move aligns with recent industry efforts to regulate AI. For instance, actors and writers have negotiated protections against AI copying their likenesses or replacing their work. The SAG-AFTRA strike and the Writers Guild of America contracts include restrictions on AI use, emphasizing consent and fair compensation.

The Academy’s rules extend these principles into awards eligibility. Even if a studio legally uses AI-generated performances or scripts, those works can’t be nominated unless they meet human authorship criteria. This signals a broader cultural stance that values human input over machine-generated content in artistic recognition.

The European Union has also taken steps to regulate AI, especially concerning deepfakes and non-consensual content. While the EU’s laws focus on legality, the Academy’s rules focus on what qualifies for Oscars. Both highlight the importance of human control over AI, though in different ways.

Overall, these changes show that the film industry recognizes AI’s growing role but also wants to preserve what makes human storytelling special. By setting clear boundaries now, the Academy hopes to guide the future of filmmaking and awards in a way that respects human creativity.

Inspired by

• https://thenextweb.com/news/oscars-ai-ban-acting-writing-rules

Sources

• techcrunch.com