In a recent interview with NPR, acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro made a bold statement about artificial intelligence, declaring he would “rather die” than incorporate generative AI into his future projects. Del Toro drew parallels between the current cultural fascination with AI and the “arrogance” of the infamous character from his Netflix adaptation of “Frankenstein.”
“I have no interest in generative AI, and I never will,” del Toro emphasized. “At 61, I hope to remain steadfast in my decision to avoid it entirely until my time comes. Recently, someone reached out via email asking for my thoughts on AI, and my response was succinct: ‘I’d rather die.’”
The visionary director pointed out that the primary dangers don’t stem from the technology itself but rather from what he calls “natural stupidity.” This mindset, he believes, can lead to the irresponsible use of AI and is responsible for many of the world’s negative traits. He likened the character of Victor Frankenstein to those driving the development of AI today, suggesting that both are blinded by ambition, creating without fully considering the repercussions of their actions. “I intended for the arrogance of Victor [Frankenstein] to reflect the mindset of today’s tech entrepreneurs,” he explained. “We need to pause and think critically about the direction we’re heading.”
Del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 novel, “Frankenstein,” features an impressive cast including Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Ineson. This highly anticipated film will be available on Netflix starting November 7.
Stay tuned for more updates on Guillermo del Toro’s work and the ongoing conversation about the role of AI in the film industry.
