Monday, February 10, 2025

Nicolas Cage Warns Against AI in Acting: ‘We Can’t Let Robots Dream for Us’ – A Call to Preserve the Human Condition!

Nicolas Cage spoke out emphatically against letting AI infiltrate acting after winning Best Actor in a film for “Dream Scenario” at the 52nd annual Saturn Awards at Universal City on Sunday. In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “Thank you for recognizing ‘Dream Scenario.’ This is in fact one of my favorite movies I’ve ever made. I have to thank Kristoffer Borgli for his direction, his writing, his editing, and for creating this incredibly disturbing but hilarious world that he dreamt up.”

However, Cage’s speech took a serious turn as he addressed a growing concern within the industry: the rise of AI. He stated, “But there is another world that is also disturbing me. It’s happening right now around all of us: the new AI world. I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us.” He argues that if actors allow AI to manipulate their performances, even slightly, it could lead to a loss of artistic integrity in the long run. “An inch will eventually become a mile,” he cautioned, “and all integrity, purity, and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only. We can’t let that happen.”

Cage believes that the essence of art lies in its ability to mirror the human experience. He stated, “The job of all art in my view, film performance included, is to hold a mirror to the external and internal stories of the human condition through the very human, thoughtful, and emotional process of recreation. A robot can’t do that. If we let robots do that, it will lack all heart and eventually lose edge and turn to mush.” He fears that a future dominated by AI will deprive humanity of genuine emotional responses, substituting it with robotic interpretations of life.

Amidst his concerns, Cage offered advice: “I say, protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions.” During the awards, he also honored the late David Lynch, who was remembered in a special tribute. Cage recalled a moment during the filming of “Wild at Heart,” where he asked Lynch if he could have fun on set. Lynch replied, “Buddy, not only is it okay, it’s necessary.”

At the Saturn Awards ceremony, Cage was nominated for both Best Actor in a Film for “Dream Scenario” and Best Supporting Actor for “Longlegs.” Earlier in October, he expressed additional fears over AI when discussing body scans done for his recent projects, like “Spider-Man Noir.” He voiced concern that these scans might be used to recreate him posthumously, lamenting, “They’re just going to steal my body and do whatever they want with it via digital AI. … God, I hope not AI. I’m terrified of that.”

Cage’s worries extend beyond personal vanity; he expressed a deeper concern for the integrity of artistry itself. “I’ve been very vocal about it. … And it makes me wonder, you know, where will the truth of the artists end up? Is it going to be replaced? Is it going to be transmogrified? Where’s the heartbeat going to be?” He concluded with a striking sentiment, stating, “I mean, what are you going to do with my body and my face when I’m dead? I don’t want you to do anything with it!”

The Saturn Awards, hosted by Joel McHale, honored iconic figures like William Shatner, “Back to the Future,” Laurence Fishburne, and Hiroyuki Sanada with special awards. As the industry grapples with the emergence of AI, Cage’s impassioned plea serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of human connection and creativity in the arts.

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