The organizers of a major international film awards ceremony have announced that films incorporating artificial intelligence in their production will be eligible for top honors. New rules state that the use of AI and other digital tools will neither advantage nor disadvantage a film’s chances of receiving a nomination.

This decision follows instances where generative AI, capable of creating text, images, audio, and video from simple prompts, contributed to films that received accolades at the recent awards ceremony. Examples include the use of AI to refine an actor’s accent and enhance singing voices in award-winning productions.

While embracing the evolving role of AI in filmmaking, the Academy emphasized that human involvement will still be a crucial consideration in the final selection of winners. This acknowledgment addresses ongoing debates and concerns among artists and actors regarding the implications of AI on their work and livelihoods, issues that were prominent during recent industry strikes. Safeguards regarding AI usage were established in agreements between unions and studios.

Despite some artists expressing reservations about the potential for misuse of their likeness, the film academy’s updated rules signify a move towards recognizing the growing integration of AI in the creative process, while still valuing human artistry.