'Horrifying'—James Cameron on generative AI's threat to film industry
James Cameron isn't thrilled about generative AI taking over Hollywood.
In a chat with CBS Sunday Morning, he called the tech "horrifying," saying, "They can make up a character, they can make up an actor, they can make up a performance from scratch with a text prompt. No, that's horrifying... That's exactly what we're not doing."
Why is Cameron worried?
Cameron's "Avatar" movies use performance capture—real actors' movements and expressions are digitally recorded and then enhanced with effects.
He feels this approach keeps films rooted in real human emotion and experience, unlike generative AI that creates performances out of thin air.
For him, "real art comes from human quirks, flaws, and lived experience," not just algorithms.
Where does he stand on using AI?
Even though he's joined the board at Stability AI and sees how AI could help cut movie costs, Cameron draws the line at replacing artists.
He believes the current AI landscape needs strict self-policing by the industry, not government intervention, to protect creativity.
His latest film even points out that no generative AI was used—he wants people to know humans are still behind the magic.