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Official recognition of films using AI has arrived with the new rules of Oscar, the main film award in the United States. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began to consider valid productions that use generative artificial intelligence, a topic that gained prominence in the 2023 strikes and returned to the center of the debate in 2025, the year in which AI-based films have already won awards. Find out more below. 5v6t2t
Academy maintains eligibility for films with artificial intelligence 1264u
In recent years, AI has become increasingly visible in various phases of film production. AI-based tools help analyze audience appeal, optimize scene previews, revolutionize visual effects (VFX) – especially digital de-aging techniques – and streamline post-production, including editing, sound design and color correction.
With the increasing integration of AI in cinema, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences established its official position for the 98th edition of the Oscar as a rule, released on Monday, 21st, which states:
“With respect to the generative AI and other digital tools used in the making of the film, those tools neither help nor hurt the film’s chances of receiving a nomination. The Academy and each branch will judge the filmmaking by taking into the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship in choosing which film to award.”
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in the eligibility guide
This is the first time that the eligibility rules of the Oscar formally address AI. The guideline indicates that the use of technology, by itself, does not influence a film's chances of being nominated. However, it introduces the evaluation criterion of “human authorship”, which will be analyzed by the different branches of the Academy (actors, directors, screenwriters, technicians, etc.) when judging the films. The recommendation for the rule came from Science and Technology Council of the Academy.
Which AI-powered movies have already hit the red carpet? 516j2v
Films featuring AI at the Oscars have already started to generate debate in the 2024/2025 season. Let's take a look at the films that rocked the red carpet due to the use of Artificial Intelligence in their productions.
The Brutalist 113f3c
The Brutalist, for example, used the tool Respeecher to digitally adjust the actors' pronunciation, with emphasis on the Hungarian lines of Adrien Brody, which were made more authentic by technology. In addition, the production used generative AI to create the architectural drawings used in the production design — although the behind-the-scenes details of these processes have not been publicly disclosed.
Emilia Perez 7554p
Another highlight was Emilia Perez, which employed similar technology to digitally alter aspects of the protagonist's vocals, generating discussions about the authenticity of the performance. The vocal alteration of the protagonist (played by Karla Sofia Gascón) was made to reach high tones in singing. The actress herself reinforced in an interview with Screen Rent that the songs in Emilia Perez were “all a challenge”, as she is not a singer.
Alien: Romulus 2b1o6u
Yes, Alien: Romulus used artificial intelligence to recreate the actor Ian Holm, who died in 2020, in the form of the android Smoke — with technology applied to both replicating his appearance and cloning his voice. The feature, which has brought to light ethical discussions about the use of AI to revive actors, has generated controversy, even though the director Fede alvarez stated that the actor's family authorized the tribute.
Indiana Jones and the Call of Fate 114071
Em Indiana Jones and the Call of Fate (2024), for example, AI was used to digitally recreate a Harrison Ford younger, combining machine learning techniques with old actor files.
A Complete Stranger 6q427
On other occasions, artificial intelligence has been applied to optimize processes already known in the industry. In A Complete Stranger, for example, AI was used to digitally replace faces in certain scenes — a feature that helped to integrate the performances and stunt work more naturally.
Dune: Pairtand Two 4720j
Em Dune: Part Two, artificial intelligence was used to automate visual effects steps, optimizing production time and ensuring greater precision in the composition of complex scenes. By employing AI algorithms to generate or enhance elements such as futuristic landscapes, sandstorms, and interactions with digital creatures, the team was able to maintain a high visual standard.
Top Gun: Maverick j6a33
Already in Top Gun: Maverick, AI was applied to clone voices with extreme fidelity, an essential feature to preserve the presence of characters whose original voice could not be used for health or availability reasons. The technology made it possible to recreate intonations, pauses and timbres naturally.
Concerns about AI have already taken over Hollywood behind the scenes 1z434b
Films that use artificial intelligence were some of the main points of tension in the writers' strikes (W) and the actors (SAG AFTRA) in 2023. On the agenda were concerns about the impact of technology on script creation, performances, the image and voice of artists, as well as working conditions in the industry.
The agreements signed between unions and studios established rules on the use of AI in audiovisual productions:
SAG-AFTRA Agreement: Specific rules have been established for the use of “digital replicas” and “synthetic performers”. The creation and use of digital versions of actors requires clear and specific consent, as well as adequate compensation. It has also been established that any significant digital alteration of performances must be authorized in advance.
WGA Agreement: AI cannot be credited as a “writer,” and AI-generated material is not considered “literary material” under the contract. Writers’ use of the technology is optional, and studios must disclose if they deliver AI-generated content. The WGA also retained the right to object to the use of writers’ text to train AI models.
With the official recognition from the Academy, the trend is that producers will begin to disclose with more transparency the AI techniques and tools used behind the scenes of films. Still, even with the agreements signed with the unions, the presence of artificial intelligence in film productions faces some resistance from the public — as was evident in the controversies of Oscar 2025 (check out which ones were nominated for Best Film here at Showmetech).
Will this perception change with the new rules? Tell us in the comments!
Read more about AI in film
Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 23 / 04 / 2025.
Sources: The Verge, with the BBC, The New York Times
