Hugh Grant movie slams AI; director warns ‘it might kill us all’ The end credits of Hugh Grant’s new movie, “Heretic,” contain an unexpected announcement about artificial intelligence.
Variety reported that there is a message stating, “No generative AI was used in the production of this film.”
The film’s directors, Scott Beck and Brian Woods, made their feelings about the technology clear in comments with the outlet.
“We have no illusions that when people watch ‘Heretic’ they’ll say, ‘Wait, did they use generative AI?'” Woods said. “It doesn’t seem like it at all, but it was important for us to bring it up because we think it’s something that people need to start talking about.”
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
There’s a note in the closing credits of Hugh Grant’s new film, “Heretic,” that says, “No generative AI was used in the making of this film.” (Kimberly French/A24)
“Heretic” is not a special effects heavy film. It focuses on Grant’s mysterious character who traps two young Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) in his home for a series of dangerous tests of faith.
Woods said that generative AI “is an algorithm that stitches together a bunch of S’s and then brings it out as art. It’s not human, and it’s borderline theft on some level.
Directors Scott Beck, left, and Brian Woods, right, with “Heretic” star Chloe East. Woods said that including the note about the lack of AI was important to the filmmakers because of their shared dislike of technology. (Kimberly French/A24)
“I think this idea that an algorithm can remove an entire human history and art from the Internet, repackage it, repurpose it, spit it out and someone else can use it to make a profit. Can for… I don’t know why it’s legal.
“It’s important for people to start talking about the need for human interconnectedness in art, business and every aspect of this life, because we are on the verge of changing every job on planet Earth overnight. It’s going to happen very fast And it’s easy for that to happen in the arts. We’re in a business that’s exceptionally greedy, decisions are not made for the good of the artistic process.”
“It’s amazing that we could create that technology. Now let’s bury it underground with nuclear weapons, because it could kill us all.”
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Woods made a final comment on AI, calling it “an amazing technology.”
“Beautiful things will come out of this, and it’s amazing. What’s being built with generic AI and video… it’s amazing that we can create that technology. Now let’s bury it underground with nuclear weapons, Because it could kill us all.”
Woods concluded that although AI is “an amazing technology,” it should be turned off immediately “because it could kill us all.” (Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
His co-director Beck told Variety that he was pleased that A24 allowed him to include the note in the credits.
“As far as we know, they are in complete agreement,” he said. He said the studio is “incredibly artist-friendly”.
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Beck said, “We’re in a time where I think creatively, we’re in one of the great moral battles, and the race is already ahead of us.”
“It’s important to have these conversations before they force things, just because it makes sense from a corporate structure. It’s incredibly dangerous. If there aren’t people in place to push it, we’re going to be five to Will find ourselves in a very dangerous situation in ten years.”
Generative AI has already been used in some films this year, sparking controversy among Hollywood and fans.
A handful of AI-generated cutaway graphics were used for a fictional talk show in the horror film “Late Night with the Devil,” which led to writers and directors, Colin and Cameron Cairns, threatening a boycott by some moviegoers earlier this year. Was defended after. ,
Beck, sitting second from right, said of AI, “If there aren’t people throttling it, we’ll find ourselves in a very dangerous situation in five to ten years.” (Anna Weber/Getty Images for AFI)
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In a statement to Variety, he said, “Together with our amazing graphics and production design team, all of whom worked tirelessly to give this film the ’70s aesthetic we always envisioned, we created three Experimented with AI for still images, which we further edited and eventually appeared as very brief interstitials in the film.
“If there are no people to throttle it, we will find ourselves in a very dangerous situation in five to ten years.”
“We feel extremely fortunate to have such a talented and passionate cast, crew and production team come on board to help bring this film to life. We can’t wait for everyone to see it this weekend.”
The film “Civil War,” also from A24, the studio behind “Heretic,” has been slammed online by critics for seemingly AI-generated promotional images shared on the film’s social media pages earlier this year. Was criticized.
Kirsten Dunst starred in “Civil War”, which faced criticism over the alleged use of AI images in online marketing. (Amy Sussman/WireImage)