Nicolas Cage Warns Against AI in Acting Amidst Saturn Awards Win
Nicolas Cage has passionately denounced the prospect of allowing AI to infiltrate the realm of acting, following his triumph as Best Actor in a Film for "Dream Scenario" at the 52nd annual Saturn Awards.
Expressing his gratitude, Cage stated, "Thank you for honoring 'Dream Scenario.' It is among my most cherished cinematic endeavors. I extend my deepest appreciation to Kristoffer Borgli for his masterful direction, writing, and editing, conceiving this exceptionally unsettling yet side-splittingly hilarious universe."
However, Cage expressed a profound concern regarding a different realm: "A new world is emerging around us: the world of AI. I firmly believe that we must not surrender our dreams to robots. They cannot replicate the complexities of the human experience."
"Allowing AI to manipulate even a fraction of a performance is a slippery slope," Cage cautioned. "Integrity, authenticity, and the very essence of artistry will be compromised by pecuniary interests. We must not allow this."
Cage emphasized the role of art, including film performance, in reflecting the human condition through thought and emotion. "Robots lack this capacity; their involvement will result in soulless, vapid renditions. Life as we experience it will be subverted by a robotic narrative."
"Guard yourselves against AI's interference with your genuine and heartfelt expressions," Cage urged.
Paying tribute to the late David Lynch, commemorated during the Saturn Awards, Cage shared, "The enthusiasm here rivals that of any other awards event and reminds me of one of my most valued collaborators, David Lynch. When filming 'Wild at Heart,' I asked if I could embrace the fun side. His response was, 'Buddy, it's not only permissible, but essential.'"
Cage earned nominations for both Best Actor in a Film ("Dream Scenario") and Best Supporting Actor ("Longlegs") at the ceremony organized by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.
In October, Cage expressed his apprehension about AI, particularly the potential utilization of his physical scans for posthumous digital recreations.
"They can digitize me and modify my appearance. They may seize my body and manipulate it through AI," he stated. "Please, not AI. It fills me with dread. I have been outspoken about this. It raises questions about the authenticity of artists. Will our legacy be replaced or transformed? What will become of our emotions? What will be done with our remains? Leave me alone!"
Joel McHale hosted the Saturn Awards, which bestowed special honors upon William Shatner, "Back to the Future," Laurence Fishburne, and Hiroyuki Sanada.