New Oscars rules: No AI actors, human-written scripts only
Actors created with artificial intelligence will not be eligible for an Oscar, said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday introducing new rules for the awards. The governing body clarified that acting performances and screenplays must be created by humans, while allowing the use of artificial intelligence tools.
The new rules primarily concern AI-created actors, screenplays written using AI, the international films category, and multiple nominations for actors in the same category. Under the updated guidelines, only roles 'demonstrably performed by humans with their consent' will be eligible for acting awards, effectively excluding AI-generated performers. This decision excludes AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, who debuted last year, and follows the unveiling of an AI-generated version of Val Kilmer, a year after his death.
The Academy announced that screenplays must be entirely 'human-authored' to be eligible. AI tools will neither help nor harm a film's chances but emphasize that human creative authorship must remain central. This move comes amid growing industry concern over generative AI, which was a key issue during the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes. The Academy may request additional information from filmmakers to verify if submissions were created by humans.
Additionally, the Academy announced significant changes for the international feature category: films can now qualify through winning top awards at major festivals (Cannes, Berlin, Busan, Venice, or Toronto) instead of only national submissions. This change addresses issues with critical works from authoritarian states. The director of the film will be listed on the statuette plaque along with the country, if applicable.
In acting categories, performers will now be eligible for multiple nominations within the same category for different roles. This change applies to the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2027.
Source: dw.com