Ari Aster, renowned for his spine-tingling horror films, recently opened up about one of his deepest concerns regarding the future of Hollywood: the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. In a candid conversation with Letterboxd, the writer and director of Eddington expressed his unease about how many people now revere AI, viewing it almost as a deity. He emphasized that we are losing control over how this technology is developed and integrated into our lives.
“It’s obviously already too late. We’re in a race now,” Aster stated. He reflected on the historical pattern of technological advancement, noting, “If we can, we will.” This sentiment resonates with the thoughts of communication theorist Marshall McLuhan, who famously remarked, “Man is the sex organ of the machine world.” Aster questioned whether technology is merely an extension of humanity or if we are merely facilitators of its existence.
He further elaborated, “When you speak to the engineers and innovators behind AI, they don’t regard it as just a new technology; they speak of it with a sense of reverence, almost like disciples. They view it as a god.” Aster highlighted the diminishing boundary between our tangible reality and a digitally imagined one, a shift he finds alarming.
Amidst these discussions, the Senate recently removed a provision from Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which would have prevented states from regulating AI for the next decade. While some in Hollywood are cautiously embracing AI, aiming to establish guidelines for “clean AI” usage, Aster remains skeptical. He noted, “The most uncanny thing about AI’s capabilities is that it’s less uncanny than I want it to be.”
He described the experience of viewing AI-generated videos that look indistinguishably real, pointing to our innate ability to adapt. “As the world becomes stranger, we gradually accept it as normal. But something monumental is unfolding right now, and we seem to have no voice in it. It’s surreal to think we are living through this transformation and witnessing its effects firsthand. Holy cow!”
In a world where the lines between reality and technology continue to blur, Aster’s insights prompt us to reflect on the implications of AI in our lives and the entertainment industry. As we navigate this new landscape, it’s crucial to engage in discussions about the ethical use of AI and its impact on our future.
