Steven Spielberg rejects AI replacing creativity in Hollywood: ‘No substitute for the soul’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Director Steven Spielberg recently addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in Hollywood and reflected on the limits AI should have within the filmmaking process during a recent appearance on former first lady Michelle Obama's 'IMO' podcast.

The legendary filmmaker also reflected on the role AI could play in the industry while maintaining that creativity and artistic decisions should continue to be driven by people rather than technology.

This comes amid his upcoming UFO thriller 'Disclosure Day,' which examines whether extraterrestrial life is present on Earth.

Steven Spielberg warns against AI in Hollywood

Speaking on the podcast, Spielberg said AI could help “find solutions to medical issues,” but drew a firm line when discussing filmmaking and storytelling, saying it should not replace artists and creators in the creative process.

He further said, “Where I don’t love AI is where it takes a position or there’s an empty chair at a writer’s table, I’m not willing to substitute, you know, because I don’t really believe in sentience. I don’t believe there is any substitute for the soul."

Spielberg continued, "I don’t think that is an algorithm that’s inventible… A computer that thinks it feels more than we feel is anathema to the way I was raised and how I’ll practice my own trade of producing and directing in the future.”

The Oscar-winning filmmaker said AI could eventually become more integrated into film production but maintained that technology cannot replace emotional depth or artistic instinct.

He also acknowledged that AI may still have practical uses in filmmaking, saying he could imagine it helping “save us a lot of legwork” by assisting with tasks such as scouting locations, while stressing that creative judgment should remain in the hands of filmmakers and creative teams.

Steven Spielberg opposes AI replacing Hollywood artists

Spielberg emphasized that artificial intelligence should never make creative decisions for filmmakers or artists working on a production.

“Don’t tell me how to write my dialogue for this character. Don’t tell me where the camera has to go. And also don’t tell me what the set should look like, unless AI is simply a tool in a large tool chest of the production designer,” he said.

The director further clarified the role he believes AI should play in filmmaking, adding, “Use AI as a tool, but do not use AI as the final word on anything creative. That’s where I draw the line.” He is not the only Hollywood figure to express concerns about artificial intelligence in entertainment.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio previously shared similar views during an interview with Time magazine in December, arguing that AI-generated work lacks humanity and cannot truly be considered authentic art.

DiCaprio said, “I think anything that is going to be authentically thought of as art has to come from the human being. Otherwise, haven’t you heard these songs that are mashups that are just absolutely brilliant and you go, ‘Oh my God, this is Michael Jackson doing the Weeknd,’ or ‘This is funk from the A Tribe Called Quest song 'Bonita Applebum,' done in, you know, a sort of Al Green soul-song voice."

He further said, "And you go, ‘Cool.’ But then it gets its 15 minutes of fame and it just dissipates into the ether of other internet junk. There’s no anchoring to it. There’s no humanity to it, as brilliant as it is.”