With AI advancing quickly, leading figures in Hollywood are focused on safeguarding the artistic elements essential to exceptional cinema.

While generative AI is capable of generating scripts and visual effects, renowned directors maintain that it falls short in capturing personal experiences, artistic decisions, and the extensive skill development behind outstanding works.

This reflects broader discussions about AI's role in the film industry, where figures like Taylor Swift and Matthew McConaughey have also moved to safeguard their images from AI-created replicas.

Here are insights from several prominent directors on the topic of AI.

Guillermo del Toro says AI could deprive the next generation of learning how to make films

Guillermo del Toro warned that AI might stop future filmmakers from honing their abilities. At the 2026 San Diego Comic Con, held from Thursday through Sunday, the Mexican director noted that the 3D rerelease of "Pan's Labyrinth" relied on a hands-on conversion method.

"Obviously, I said, 'Absolutely no goddamn AI,'" del Toro remarked. He accepted the higher expense of the manual process, which required roughly 1,000 artists to rotoscope the film. "What we're protecting is the beauty and the redeeming power of art. It's not about who gets the job. We are protecting a lineage of art. If we cut a generation of people from learning their craft, you're cutting the rest of the history of that medium away from them, for what?" del Toro said. Instead of choosing speed, del Toro emphasized quality. "You have to put in time. You roto every element by hand. A human-made decision of depth," he said.

Christopher Nolan says AI should be viewed with skepticism

Christopher Nolan urged people to question the intentions of AI's developers just as much as the technology itself. In a July 14 discussion with YouTuber HugoDécrypte, Nolan described AI as "a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside." "I've never seen a technology advancing so rapidly, so completely rejected by the public," Nolan said. He noted the strong public doubt toward AI, especially among younger viewers who use the phrase "AI slop." Nolan supported this caution, explaining that while technology can offer "great gifts," it must be handled carefully. "The motives of the people giving it to us also have to be viewed with skepticism. That's when we'll get the best out of a new technology, rather than just blind faith that everything's going to be great," Nolan said. Nolan prefers real stunts, practical effects, and in-camera methods over heavy CGI. His latest film, "The Odyssey," follows this approach and has earned over $639 million worldwide since its July 17 release, per Box Office Mojo.

Steven Spielberg says AI shouldn't take the place of creative people

Steven Spielberg drew a clear boundary against using AI to replace human creativity. "I have never used AI on any of my films yet," the filmmaker stated at the 2026 SXSW conference in Austin in March. "Even television, we have a writer's room. All the seats are occupied. There's not an empty chair with a laptop in front of it," Spielberg said. "I haven't used AI that way." He clarified that he is not entirely opposed to the technology, noting he supports "AI in many different disciplines." "I am not for AI that replaces a creative individual," Spielberg said.

Tim Burton says AI strips away the humanity behind art

Tim Burton described feeling deeply unsettled after seeing AI-generated artwork in his signature style. In 2023, Burton commented on BuzzFeed's use of AI to produce Disney characters in his distinctive style. "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,'" Burton told The Independent. Although some AI pieces were "very good," he found it disturbing to watch a machine replicate his visual approach. "It's like a robot taking your humanity, your soul," he said.

Bong Joon Ho says AI is forcing people to rethink what only humans can create

Bong Joon Ho, the Oscar-winning director of "Parasite," offered a humorous take on AI: eliminate it. "My official answer is, AI is good because it's the very beginning of the human race finally seriously thinking about what only humans can do. But my personal answer is, I'm going to organize a military squad, and their mission is to destroy AI," Bong said at the 2025 Marrakech Film Festival, per Deadline.

Celine Song says AI risks erasing the struggles that make life beautiful

Celine Song argued that artists must protect what defines humanity. Speaking at the 2025 Marrakech Film Festival, per Deadline, the "Past Lives" director expressed being "very concerned" about AI "trying to encroach" on experiences that render life meaningful. "The number one thing that we're here to defend as artists is humanity," Song said. "We're here not to think about what makes human life easy, what makes it convenient, but what it's like to actually live."