Oscars bans AI actors and AI-written scripts from winning awards
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated its eligibility rules to specify that only acting "demonstrably performed by humans" and writing that "must be human-authored" can be nominated for an Oscar. The change, described as "substantive," comes amid growing use of AI in filmmaking, including plans to recreate the late actor Val Kilmer with AI for a lead role and the creation of a fake AI actor by Eline van der Velden. The Academy did not ban AI use in films broadly, stating that AI tools "neither help nor harm" nomination chances for other categories, but reserves the right to request more information about human authorship if questions arise. The move follows Hollywood strikes over AI use in scriptwriting and ongoing lawsuits against AI companies for copyright infringement.
Key facts
- Only acting 'demonstrably performed by humans' is eligible for Oscars.
- Writing must be 'human-authored' to be nominated.
- The Academy called the requirements a 'substantive' change.
- Val Kilmer, who died in 2025, is set to be recreated with AI for a lead role.
- Eline van der Velden created a fake AI actor to 'become a global superstar'.
- The Academy did not issue a broad ban on AI use in films.
- AI tools 'neither help nor harm' chances of nomination outside acting and writing.
- The Academy reserves the right to request more information about human authorship.
Entities
Artists
- Teyana Taylor
- Val Kilmer
- Eline van der Velden
Institutions
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom