Tim Burton Reveals Why He Hates AI: ‘It’s Like A Robot Taking Your Humanity’

The topic of AI ethics went around the web long before the writers’ and actors’ strikes took place in Los Angeles. However, it is today that the opinions of industry professionals are more critical than ever to consider while looking forward to the future of filmmaking.

Now that we are all aware of the opinions of such iconic directors as James Cameron, who sees a greater danger in weaponizing AI, and Steven Spielberg, who feels terrified about the popularization of AI-based tools, it’s Tim Burton’s turn to speak up about the controversial technology.

As it turns out, Beetlejuice ’s creator doesn’t have anything positive to say about it either.

The director went on to comment on a Buzzfeed article, which used AI tools to illustrate what beloved Disney movies would look like if they were directed by Burton during a recent interview with The Independent.

While Burton can acknowledge the stylish art when he sees it, that doesn’t mean he enjoys the idea of his own work being put into a machine without any consideration just as much:

“I can’t describe the feeling it gives you. It reminded me of when other cultures say, ‘Don’t take my picture because it is taking away your soul’. What it does is it sucks something from you. It takes something from your soul or psyche; that is very disturbing, especially if it has to do with you. It’s like a robot taking your humanity, your soul,” he explained.

There are many studies and haunting real-life cases of AI tools being harmful to the professionals involved in all different branches of the entertainment industry, however, animation in particular may be the most vulnerable area of them all.

With tools like Midjourney available to anyone, the task of imitating somebody’s unique style became easier than it ever was before, leaving artists with little to no protection for their creativity.

If such huge names like Tim Burton feel the danger from the unregulated usage of AI, one can only imagine the struggles of the smaller scale artists.

Source: The Independent