DirectorBaz Luhrmannjoins a growing list of film industry professionals sharing their opinions on the hot topic of AI (Artificial Intelligence). While visiting the cast and crew of the West End production ofMoulin Rouge! The Musical(Luhrmann famously directed the 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman), Luhrmann toldSky Newsthat he believes the industry has some catching up to do in regard to AI:
“I think we need to play catch up in all fields in terms of proper governance and understanding of AI for sure.”
Luhrmann went on to commend the deals struck by the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, calling them “exactly right.” Both unions called for regulations on the usage of AI as part of their conditions for returning to work. The industry’s need to catch upwith the evolving world of AIwas also mentioned by SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher after the 118-day actor strike concluded:
“We got the protections we needed in AI. We got the funds that we needed for the new revenue stream. That was the two biggest outstanding pieces. The money was in place earlier, it was the protections that we really were holding out for. With AI, things move very fast, and three months is equivalent to a year in how things can change. So, if we didn’t close that up now then you’ll be so far behind you’ll never be able to catch up. It was really important to us, that we got the protections we felt that we absolutely needed to sustain this contract until the next one. I mean, there’s still things that we’re already working on to get for the next contract, but there are so many milestones in this one.”
Related:Matthew Modine Slams SAG-AFTRA Deal’s AI Stance: ‘Consent Is Surrender'
Baz Luhrmann Does Not Believe AI Can Replicate Human-Created Art
During his conversation with Sky News, Luhrmann made it clear that he is not frightened by AI. The acclaimed director, whose notable credits includeStrictly Ballroom,William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, The Great Gatsby,and the 2022 Oscar-nominated epicElvis, said he doesn’t believe thatAI can replicate human-created art.
“When it comes to my own creative journey in AI, I think it’s useful to do certain things [but] one thing AI can’t really do is be imperfect. And that is what art really is - it’s kind of imperfect.”
Luhrmann also mentioned his experience working with AI through Ai-Da, whomhe calls a “very smart robot.” Earlier this year, Luhrmann collaborated with Bombay Saphire for the “Saw This Made This” campaign, which included the world’s largest mass participation AI art event. For an exhibit displayed at London’s Design Museum in April and at New York City’s Chelsea Factory in May, people were asked to upload images of their sources of inspiration to social media. The AI twist came with Ai-Da, an ultra-realistic artist robot who created live art based on a selection of images curated by Luhrmann.
During an interview withEsquireabout the campaign, Luhrmann said:
“I’m going into a session with Ai-Da today, and the press, they’re all going to say, ‘Aren’t you scared that Ai-Da is going to replace us?’ But if I ask Ai-Da, ‘Do you dream? Do you love?’ And Ai-Da says to me, ‘I’ve fallen in love and I can’t stop. I do these crazy, ridiculous things. I’ve stopped painting because I keep pining after the coffee machine in the corner.’ Then I’ll be worried. But I don’t think humanity can be replaced.”
