The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has formally excluded artificial intelligence from its highest honors. In a move designed to preserve the integrity of cinematic art, the organization released updated eligibility rules for the 99th Academy Awards that strictly prioritize human contribution. Under these new guidelines, films relying heavily on AI for acting or screenwriting will be ineligible for recognition.
Зміст
Defining Human Performance
The most significant change addresses the growing use of AI-generated actors and digital likenesses. The Academy now stipulates that only roles performed by humans with their consent are eligible for awards. Furthermore, these performances must be credited in the film’s legal billing.
This rule is a direct response to recent industry controversies, such as the decision by Val Kilmer’s estate to allow director Coerte Voorhees to use generative AI to recreate Kilmer’s likeness for the film As Deep As The Grave. While Kilmer was involved in the project’s early stages before his death in 2025, the Academy’s new stance clarifies that digital recreations, regardless of consent, do not qualify for acting honors.
Similarly, screenplays must be human-authored. Any script edited or generated by AI is disqualified. The Academy has also reserved the right to request additional information if questions arise regarding the human authorship of any submission.
Why This Matters
These rules are not arbitrary; they reflect a broader struggle within Hollywood to define the boundaries of creativity in the age of automation. For years, unions representing actors, writers, and directors have fought studios over AI protections. The issue was a central demand during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where workers feared job displacement and the unauthorized use of their likenesses.
The shift signals a decisive victory for labor unions, which have long argued that AI threatens the economic and creative rights of human artists. By codifying these restrictions, the Academy aligns itself with the ethical standards championed by organizations like SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America.
While a SAG-AFTRA representative declined to comment on the specific update, the union’s own awards already prioritize human performance. The Writers Guild of America-West did not immediately respond to inquiries, but the industry trend is clear: major institutions are moving to protect human labor from algorithmic replacement.
Beyond AI: Structural Changes to the Awards
The 99th Academy Awards will also feature several non-AI-related adjustments designed to modernize the nomination process:
- Multiple Nominations: An actor can now be nominated for the same award for multiple performances, provided each role ranks in the top five. For example, Zendaya could potentially receive Best Actress nominations for both Dune: Part Three and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
- International Film Recognition: The Best International Feature Film award will now be presented to the film’s director rather than the country or region of origin. The director’s name will appear on the award plaque, shifting the focus from national representation to individual artistic achievement.
Conclusion
The Academy’s updated rules serve as a formal declaration that the Oscars remain a celebration of human ingenuity. By barring AI-generated performances and scripts, the institution aims to protect the livelihoods of artists and maintain the cultural value of the awards in an era of rapid technological disruption.
