The former 'Punk'd' host has ignited a storm of controversy with his recent comments advocating the use of AI in filmmaking, prompting many in the industry to condemn his suggestions as shortsighted and damaging to creative jobs.
- Jun 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - Actor Ashton Kutcher, known for his roles in "That '70s Show" and "Jobs", recently found himself at the center of an online backlash following his enthusiastic endorsement of AI technology in filmmaking. During a chat with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt in Los Angeles, Kutcher praised OpenAI's generative video tool, Sora, touting its potential to revolutionize the industry.
"You can generate any footage that you want. You can create good 10-, 15-second videos that look very real. It still makes mistakes. It still doesn't quite understand physics," said Kutcher, 46. He added that the capabilities of AI tools like Sora have improved significantly over the past year, to the point where "there's footage in it that I would say you could easily use in a major motion picture or a television show."
His comments, however, were far from well-received. Kutcher suggested that using AI could save significant costs in filmmaking, such as creating establishing shots for just $100 instead of spending thousands. He even proposed that action scenes, including those involving stunt work, could be generated by AI, eliminating the need for human stunt performers.
"Why would you go out and shoot an establishing shot of a house in a television show when you could just create the establishing shot for $100?" he asked, causing a stir among filmmakers and fans alike.
Among the most vocal critics was former "Rick & Morty" writer Caitie Delaney, who argued, "When you take ANY humans off of a collaborative and creative pursuit you literally lose the humanity. A hollow, dumbass, pointless shell. TV will have the same artistic merit as dish soap."
Writer Ash Lazer echoed this sentiment, criticizing Kutcher for promoting a "shortsighted, self-centered, short-term cost vs long-term gain mindset," warning that such technology could ultimately replace human jobs in the creative industry.
Sean O'Connor, another writer, derided the notion that AI could create quality films, saying, "You could probably make an Ashton Kutcher movie with OpenAI's Sora, but you couldn't make a good movie with it."
Kutcher's comments have also drawn ire from screenwriter J. Filiatrault, who pointed out the destructive impact such technology could have on jobs, "Imagine being Ashton Kutcher stepping onto a film set now, after coming out and advocating for all those crew people to lose their jobs and f**king starve. Gutsy choice, bud."
While Kutcher's excitement for AI's potential in moviemaking is clear, it's also evident that his vision for the future is not shared by many in Hollywood. As investment in AI continues to grow, the debate over its role in creative industries is likely to intensify.
