Tim Burton Slams AI Recreations Of His Style: “A Robot Taking Your Humanity, Your Soul”

Tim Burton isn’t a fan of AI recreations of his filmmaking style, slamming the works for their impact on his humanity. Burton is one of the most distinctive filmmakers working in Hollywood today, with his movies boasting a very specific visual language and flair. He’s best known for films like Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, and Alice in Wonderland, among many others, with Beetlejuice 2 serving to as his next project.

As the debate over AI in Hollywood continues, Burton weighs in on the technology during a recent interview with The Independent. While acknowledging that some of the creations are “very good,” the filmmaker doesn’t mince words when it comes to how AI recreations of his work and style make him feel. Check out Burton’s full comment below:

“They had AI do my versions of Disney characters! I can’t describe the feeling it gives you. It reminded me of when other cultures say, ‘Don’t take my picture because it is taking away your soul.’

“What it does is it sucks something from you. It takes something from your soul or psyche; that is very disturbing, especially if it has to do with you. It’s like a robot taking your humanity, your soul.”

Does AI Have A Place In Hollywood?

Currently, both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are on strike, essentially bringing Hollywood to a standstill. Although there are many issues that are at the heart of the strike, the use of AI at varying stages of development and production has become a key issue. Essentially, writers and actors are asking for strict rules and regulations regarding how AI can be used in order to protect their own livelihoods.

While it remains to be seen what kind of agreements will be reached regarding AI, it’s clear that the technology, for better or worse, will play an increasingly important role in different aspects of the filmmaking process. One key issue on the table for actors involves the scanning of their likenesses for use in movies in perpetuity. While there are objections to the practice itself, a core problem with this is that agreements, as they exist now, reportedly don’t include any compensation for actors if their likenesses are used.

Should agreements be made regarding compensation, it does seem likely that AI-generated background actors will become increasingly more common in Hollywood movies. AI and machine learning is also poised to drastically change the post-production process, particularly as it relates to visual effects and CGI. Although Burton evidently isn’t a fan of AI recreations of his work, the technology is very likely going to play a major role in Hollywood in the years ahead and, hopefully, exhaustive agreements can be made to ensure that human artistry remains paramount during the filmmaking process.