Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is among those veteran actors who have been expressing their concern about the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cinema.
Tom Cruise AI Speech: Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has emphasized the importance of human talent and creativity in film production amid the increasing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In BAFTA's 'Life in Pictures' programme, he talked for about six minutes about cinema, the hard work of artists and the experience of watching films in the theatre. After his thoughts, the audience present at the program stood up and applauded.
64-year-old Tom Cruise has long been expressing his opinion about the increasing use of technology in the film industry and the role of actors. However, in this program, instead of directly discussing the potential dangers of AI, he emphasized that the real strength of cinema lies in the imagination, hard work and collective experience of humans.
'There is nothing like a human being'
During the BAFTA event, host Edith Bowman asked Tom Cruise how AI could affect the film medium with which he has been associated for a long time. In response, the actor said, “There is nothing like a human being.” He explained that filmmaking is not just about acting in front of the camera. Actors, directors, cinematographers, writers, technical teams and many other actors play a role in making a film. The experiences and creative decisions of all these together give a distinct identity to the film.
Cruise talked about many aspects, from the technology of the camera lens to the difference in the experience of filming and streaming. According to him, technology may constantly change, but the human connection created between the audience and the artistes will remain the fundamental strength of cinema.
Emphasis on the experience of watching a movie in the theater
Tom Cruise also described the experience of watching films in theaters as special. He said the success of big films and the presence of audiences in theaters shows that people still want the experience of watching a movie collectively. He especially mentioned the young audience and said that people of the new generation are also going to theaters and enjoying films. According to him, watching a movie in the theater is not just an experience of watching the story on the big screen, but feeling that story with the people present around is also a part of it.
The actor also said that he does not want to lose the cast and film crew who have dedicated their entire lives to cinema. He emphasized that audiences value real and human experiences.
'Whatever you pay attention to, you give life to'
During his address, Tom Cruise said that whatever a person focuses his attention on, he gives it life in a way. His idea underlines the role of human creativity in film making. He also said that technological changes are always happening in cinema. Cameras, lenses, visual effects, and methods of distribution have changed constantly, but the story at the center of film and the humans who present it remain important.
Tom Cruise was earlier in the news for the use of AI during the Hollywood actors' strike in 2023. At that time, issues like digital likeness of artists, use of their image and voice were prominent in the film and television industry. In the conversation, Cruz stressed the need for security measures related to AI and the rights of artists.
Talk about 'Digger' also
In this BAFTA program, Tom Cruise also discussed his upcoming film 'Digger'. He said that before accepting the project, he had spent a lot of time on the film's script with director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu. The actor described the film as one of the most original and emotional projects of his career.
In the film, Cruise is playing the role of an oil businessman named Digger Rockwell. The story revolves around an environmental crisis, the responsibility of stopping which falls before the very person whose activities are linked to that crisis. The film is scheduled to release in theaters on October 2.