Oscars Ban AI Performances and Screenplays From Eligibility

In brief

• The Academy bars AI-generated acting and screenplays from Oscar eligibility.
• International category expands to allow multiple entries via festival wins.
• Actors can now receive multiple nominations in the same category.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday ruled that AI-generated performances and screenplays will not qualify for Oscars, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

The update defines how the Academy will treat AI as studios use the technology to generate scripts, alter performances, and recreate actors, tying awards eligibility to human creativity and performance.

According to the new Academy rules, only performances carried out by human actors qualify for acting categories. Those performances must be credited in a film’s official billing and completed with the actor’s consent. Only screenplays written by humans qualify for writing awards.

The Academy’s current rules, approved in April, took a more neutral approach, allowing generative AI in filmmaking while emphasizing human creative control in determining eligibility for awards.

“With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,” the rules said. “The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.”

The Academy can request details about how AI was used in a film, including the level of human involvement, giving it discretion to review edge cases.

The rules also address productions that use AI to modify or complete performances. By requiring that living actors carry out performances with consent, the Academy aims to limit the use of digital recreations in eligible work.

The news comes as artificial intelligence reshapes Hollywood. In February, an AI-generated video of Tom Cruise battling Brad Pitt took the internet by storm. More recently, AI was used to resurrect Val Kilmer, who passed away last summer, for a "role" in an upcoming film, "As Deep as the Grave."