Ben Affleck has found himself at the center of a heated debate after offering what many consider a surprisingly eloquent defense of artificial intelligence in the movie industry. Affleck, while acknowledging that AI will alter filmmaking, doesn’t believe it will replace the core creativity of human filmmakers.
Affleck shared his thoughts at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha 2024 investor summit, offering a perspective that differs from many of his peers. While Hollywood titans like Robert Downey Jr. and James Gunn have raised concerns about AI, others, such as James Cameron, see its potential. Affleck seems to be threading the needle between the two camps, advocating for AI’s role in enhancing rather than overtaking the creative process.
When asked about whether AI should be perceived as a threat, Affleck responded candidly, saying, “Movies will be one of the last things, if everything gets replaced, to be replaced by AI.” He doubled down, adding, “AI can write you excellent, imitative verse that sounds Elizabethan. It cannot write you Shakespeare.” His stance? AI can assist, but not replicate, the depth of human creativity.
Affleck continued, painting a picture of AI as a tool for cutting down on the laborious and less creative aspects of filmmaking. This, he argued, could make filmmaking more accessible to those with limited resources. “What AI is going to do is disintermediate the laborious, less creative, and more costly aspects of filmmaking that will allow costs to be brought down, that will lower the barrier for entry, that will allow more voices to be heard,” he explained. “That will make it easier for people who want to make ‘Good Will Huntings’ to go out and make it.”
The Argo director wasn’t shy about the potential disruption, particularly in visual effects. “I wouldn’t like to be in the visual effects business,” Affleck noted, hinting at the transformative impact AI will have. “What costs a lot of money is now going to cost a lot less. It’s going to hammer that space, and maybe it shouldn’t take a thousand people to render something, but it’s not going to replace human beings making films.”
Affleck also touched on AI’s practical uses, suggesting it could help filmmakers fix issues like color correction without the need for reshoots. He even floated a scenario in which fans could potentially create their own episodes of TV shows. “Eventually, AI will allow you to ask for your own episode of Succession,” he hypothesized. “You could say, ‘I’ll pay $30, and could you make me a 40-minute episode where, like, Kendall gets the company and runs off and has an affair with Stewy.’ And it’ll do it.”
Affleck’s comments have since gone viral, sparking a range of reactions across social media. One viewer expressed surprise: “Didn’t expect Ben Affleck to have the most articulate and realistic explanation where video models and Hollywood is going.” Another supporter chimed in, “Finally a grounded take on AI & filmmaking from a Hollywood A-lister. Folks are calling these statements wishful thinking. IMO they’re grounded in a clear understanding of the state of the art.”
Not everyone was on board, though. “He’s put up a good argument for the short term. Wait until studios buy the rights to the actors and their voices,” one commenter argued, alluding to a more dystopian future. Others pointed out that independent filmmakers might be the real battleground: “One big question is whether indies will embrace it, or try to regulate it out of existence. If it’s the latter, it’ll end up primarily in the hands of large companies and studios. If the former, it’ll enable small productions to take on more than they ever could before.”
Of course, not everyone was as impressed. One detractor dismissed Affleck, stating, “Nah. He’s exactly as shallow as I thought he would be. Someone like him should really have copium dialled up!”
While opinions remain divided, Affleck’s stance adds an interesting voice to the ongoing debate about the role of AI in Hollywood. Whether it’s a tech revolution that will democratize filmmaking or a looming threat to creativity is still up for debate—but at least Ben Affleck is willing to have that conversation.
