This year's Cannes Film Festival opened a debate on the role of artificial intelligence in the film industry, from post-production to protecting the work of actors, screenwriters and authors.

This year's 79th edition of Cannes turned the issue of artificial intelligence into one of the festival's main themes.

The technology is present both on screen and behind the scenes, and the festival has for the first time entered into a multi-year partnership with the Met, whose tools were also used in Steven Soderbergh's documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview."

In the film, artificial intelligence programs were used to create surreal images that accompany the conversation between John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which took place on the day Lennon was murdered in 1980. Such use caused harsh reactions from some critics, but Soderbergh believes that the experiment is necessary.

"We haven't seen anyone with the creative credibility to go all the way into artificial intelligence and see how people react. I think that's what's needed," Soderbergh said.

He added that he himself still doesn't know where his limit is.

Other prominent directors also spoke at the festival. Jury member Demi Moore said that the fight against artificial intelligence is a battle we will lose, while Peter Jackson said that this technology does not bother him and that for him it is just another special effect.

James Gray took a more cautious stance, stating that artificial intelligence can be a useful tool, but that he does not believe it can achieve the human spirit and creativity.

The Cannes debate comes after new moves in Hollywood. The American Film Academy announced rules that only performances that are visibly done by people with their consent will be recognized for acting nominations, while the use of artificial intelligence tools will not in itself help or hinder a candidacy.

Meanwhile, the SAG-AFTRA union reached a preliminary agreement with the studios on protective rules for digital replicas and synthetic performers.

Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux said the festival supports authors, screenwriters, actors and voice actors whose jobs may be at risk.

"Regulation is necessary. We need to control this," said Thierry Fremaux.

Although the Cannes Film Festival is not banning films that use artificial intelligence for the time being, the debate about the limits of this technology is clearly only entering a crucial phase. /Telegraph/

TV / FilmMagazinaEnglish