The use of AI in filmmaking has sparked debate, particularly after the Oscar-nominated film The Brutalist revealed its use of AI for voice modulation and architectural design. This has prompted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to consider implementing mandatory disclosure rules for AI usage in films vying for Oscars.
Recent awards season contenders have increasingly utilized AI tools, pushing the Academy to address the technology’s impact on the filmmaking process. Variety reports that while the Academy currently offers an optional disclosure form for AI use, discussions are underway to make this mandatory for the 2026 Oscars, with rules expected to be published in April.
The Brutalist, which garnered ten Oscar nominations, tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and immigrates to America, where he becomes involved with a powerful businessman. The film’s use of AI came to light following an interview with editor Dávid Jancsó, who revealed that the production employed Respeecher, a Ukrainian software company, to create authentic Hungarian accents for the actors. AI was also used to generate some of the architectural blueprints featured in the film.
Jancsó advocated for open discussions about AI’s role in filmmaking, emphasizing the technology’s potential to streamline processes and achieve detailed effects that might otherwise be constrained by budget or time. He argued that the AI applications in The Brutalist represent established techniques, simply expedited by technology.
The film industry’s stance on AI remains ambivalent, wavering between embracing its possibilities and outright rejection. OpenAI’s recent efforts to introduce its video-generation technology, Sora, to Hollywood studios exemplify this tension. Previous examples, such as Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, which used de-aging technology, further demonstrate the increasing integration of AI in filmmaking.
Despite the gradual influx of AI tools, audience demand for AI-driven filmmaking remains unclear. The Academy’s potential move towards mandatory disclosure suggests a growing need for transparency and a broader conversation about the ethical and artistic implications of AI in cinema.
