Jodie Foster Says AI Is Already Impacting Hollywood

Jodie Foster believes artificial intelligence is already shaping the film industry, according to Deadline. The two-time Academy Award winner pointed to a recent blockbuster as a prime example of what she sees as AI's creative influence.

What Did Jodie Foster Say About AI?

Foster explained her perspective on how AI manifests in current filmmaking. She described 'F1' as having a structure "exactly the structure that you would learn in school" and actors delivering lines "exactly the way it would be written if a computer was writing exactly what would be the right thing for that time." She added that the filmmakers were "able to dominate the technology to make something big and beautiful."

Her comments come as Hollywood unions and studios continue to negotiate the role of generative AI. Foster emphasized the need for protective measures. "Hopefully, things like unions will be able to come in and say, you can use my actor 20 times, but you're going to pay him 20 times. And I think that's fair," she said.

How Has Foster Used AI Herself?

The actor and director revealed she has firsthand experience with the technology. Foster said the experiment turned out well, even though the initial AI-generated images "made no sense."

She views AI as potentially useful for "small helpful things" like pre-visualization and storyboarding. However, her central hope is for artists to maintain control. "What we all would love is that filmmakers would be able to dominate AI, and never lose sight of that," Foster stated. "If we are able to dominate AI consistently over time, we will be able to make things that reflect us, and we can make things better."

What Is the Broader Context for AI in Hollywood?

The use of AI remains a contentious issue in the entertainment industry. SAG-AFTRA has recently endorsed a federal AI policy framework that calls for legislation protecting intellectual property rights and workforce development. Last month, an executive order was signed establishing a voluntary framework for AI companies to provide the government access to new models before release.

Foster's remarks add a prominent voice to the debate, arguing that AI is not a distant future concern but a present-day reality in major studio filmmaking. Her call for artistic domination over the technology frames the challenge as one of creative control rather than outright rejection.

Sources

• Deadline