AI Actors and Screenplays Barred from Oscars Starting 2027

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken a decisive step to safeguard the integrity of the Oscars, announcing new regulations that will exclude AI-generated actors and screenplays from consideration. This move, set to take effect from the 2027 awards ceremony, directly addresses the growing concerns within the film industry about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in movie production.

Under the new rules, any performance by an AI-generated actor or any screenplay created by AI will be ineligible for nomination in their respective categories. This decision aims to preserve the human element at the core of filmmaking, ensuring that the awards continue to recognize the craft and artistry of human creators. The Academy reserves the right to request further information from submissions to verify their human origin, a measure designed to uphold the spirit of the awards.

The background to this decision includes the rising trend of using AI to cut production costs, a practice that has sparked significant debate. Last year, the debut of an AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood drew sharp criticism from industry professionals, particularly the actors' union Sag-Aftra. The union argued that such AI creations are not actors but rather digital figures trained on the performances of countless professionals without their consent or compensation, highlighting ethical and labor concerns.

In addition to the AI restrictions, the Academy has also updated its rules for nominations in other categories. For the International Feature Film category, works that have won major festival awards, such as the Golden Bear at Berlinale, will now be considered alongside the selections made by individual countries. Furthermore, actors will be permitted to be nominated for more than one role in the Best Lead or Supporting Actor categories, a flexibility already allowed in other segments. These changes reflect the Academy's ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of cinema.

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Tilly Norwood is not an actress, but a character generated by a computer program trained on the performances of countless professional actors – without their consent and without compensation.