For the first time, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is recognizing that generative AI exists and has implications for the film industry. The Academy has released new rule changes for the Academy Awards, and, due to past controversies with nominated films utilizing AI, issued the following clarification:
“With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination. The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.”
This wording is somewhat vague, but is taken to mean that simply using generative AI in the making of film does not automatically disqualify said film from nomination. However, how the AI was used in making the film could result in a disqualification, with judgement ultimately up to the Academy. The New York Times reports that the Academy was originally going to require filmmakers to disclose if their film utilized generative AI, but ultimately wound up going a different road.
