Oscars Ban AI Actors, Mandate Human-Written Scripts

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is taking a firm stance against the encroachment of artificial intelligence into the creative heart of filmmaking. In a move that will resonate deeply within Hollywood and beyond, new rules have been established to ensure that the Oscars remain a celebration of human artistry. Effective from the 99th Academy Awards in March 2027, these guidelines explicitly state that both acting performances and screenplays must be the product of human creation.

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Actors created with artificial intelligence will not be eligible for an Oscar, said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday introducing new rules for the awards.

This decision directly addresses growing industry anxieties, particularly those highlighted during the 2023 labor strikes. The Academy's clarification means that AI-generated actors, such as the digital recreation of Val Kilmer or the previously debuted AI actress Tilly Norwood, will not be eligible for awards. Similarly, screenplays must be entirely human-authored, though the use of AI tools in the creative process is permitted as long as human authorship remains central. The Academy reserves the right to request further information to verify the human origin of submissions, signaling a commitment to upholding these new standards.

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The governing body of the Oscar Awards clarified that acting performances and screenplays must be created by humans, while allowing the use of artificial intelligence tools.

Beyond the AI debate, the Academy is also broadening the scope of its international feature category. Films will now have the option to qualify for consideration not only through national submissions but also by securing top awards at prestigious international film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, Busan, Venice, or Toronto. This change is particularly significant, as it opens doors for critical works from authoritarian states that might otherwise be overlooked by official national bodies. The focus shifts to the film itself as the nominee, rather than solely its country of origin, with the director and country noted on the statuette plaque.

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only roles "demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" will be eligible for acting awards, effectively excluding AI-generated performers, according to the Academy.

Furthermore, the rules governing acting nominations have been updated. Performers will now be eligible to receive multiple nominations within the same acting category, provided they are for different roles. This marks a departure from previous restrictions that disallowed multiple nominations in a single category for roles in different films. These comprehensive updates reflect the Academy's effort to adapt to the evolving landscape of filmmaking while preserving the core values of human creativity and performance.

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According to the Academy, screenplays must be entirely "human-authored to be eligible."