‘We’re expanding the cinematic toolbox’: AI fault lines on show at Cannes

Under a white marquee on Cannes' picturesque Croisette beach, with the Mediterranean Sea glistening in the background and superyachts drifting lazily across the horizon, director Darren Aronofsky made a passionate plea for the adoption of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Speaking at an 'AI for Talent' summit, Aronofsky, who has faced criticism for his enthusiasm for generative AI projects through his new studio, Primordial Soup, acknowledged the pushback against AI, but remained undeterred. 'There's so much pushback against AI,' he said, addressing an audience of industry executives and tech enthusiasts.

Aronofsky's comments highlight the growing divide within the film industry over the use of AI, with some directors and producers seeing it as a revolutionary tool, while others view it as a threat to traditional filmmaking techniques. The debate is likely to continue, with Aronofsky and others like him on one side, and Guillermo del Toro, who has expressed strong reservations about AI, on the other. 'I would rather die' than rely on AI, del Toro has said.

Despite the controversy, Aronofsky remains committed to exploring the creative possibilities of AI. He sees it as a means of expanding the cinematic toolbox, allowing filmmakers to experiment with new ideas and techniques that were previously impossible or impractical. For Aronofsky, AI represents a chance to push the boundaries of storytelling and to create new and innovative visual experiences.

The AI debate is likely to remain a major topic of discussion in the film industry for some time to come, with the potential for AI to transform the way movies are made and consumed. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how directors like Aronofsky and del Toro, and the wider film industry, choose to harness its power. The Cannes summit, where Aronofsky made his comments, brought together industry leaders and tech experts to explore the potential of AI in filmmaking.

The event provided a platform for discussion and debate about the benefits and drawbacks of AI, and the ways in which it could shape the future of the film industry.