ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Academy Rules Only Humans Can Win Oscars for Acting and Writing

award · 2026-05-02

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new regulations indicating that Oscars for acting and writing must be awarded exclusively to humans. Performances must be “demonstrably performed by humans,” while writing needs to be “human-authored.” The use of AI in post-production special effects will not influence nomination outcomes, although the Academy will evaluate the extent of human creative input. They retain the right to seek further details regarding AI usage and “human authorship.” Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor highlighted the importance of human involvement in the creative process, and CEO Bill Kramer noted that AI applications will be reviewed annually on an individual basis. These guidelines come in response to controversies, including the resurrection of deceased actors like Ian Holm in 'Alien: Romulus' (2024) and AI-assisted dialect adjustments in 'The Brutalist,' which reportedly impacted its Best Picture prospects. The Academy has not addressed the eligibility of Val Kilmer’s posthumous role in 'As Deep as the Grave.'

Key facts

  • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued new AI guidelines for Oscar eligibility.
  • Oscars for acting must be 'demonstrably performed by humans.'
  • Oscars for writing must be 'human-authored.'
  • AI use in post-production special effects will neither help nor harm nomination chances.
  • Academy will judge the degree of human creative authorship in AI-assisted works.
  • Academy reserves right to ask filmmakers for additional information about AI use and 'human authorship.'
  • Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor: 'Humans have to be at the center of the creative process.'
  • Academy CEO Bill Kramer: the Academy will assess AI use on a case-by-case basis annually.
  • AI was used to resurrect Ian Holm in 'Alien: Romulus' (2024).
  • AI was used to perfect Adrien Brody's Hungarian dialect in 'The Brutalist,' potentially affecting its Best Picture chances.
  • Val Kilmer appears posthumously in 'As Deep as the Grave'; Academy did not comment on eligibility.

Entities

Artists

  • Lynette Howell Taylor
  • Bill Kramer
  • Val Kilmer
  • Ian Holm
  • Adrien Brody
  • Teyana Taylor
  • Eline van der Velden
  • Tilly Norwood

Institutions

  • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  • The Associated Press
  • PetaPixel
  • Depositphotos

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources