Demi Moore has urged the film industry to embrace artificial intelligence, warning that resisting the technology is a “battle we will lose,” per variety.com.
Speaking at a Cannes Film Festival jury press conference on Tuesday, Moore argued that while AI can never replicate the “soul” of human artistry, the industry must find ways to integrate it or risk being left behind.
Addressing the growing debate over generative technology, Moore told reporters that “against-ness breeds against-ness” and suggested a collaborative approach would be more valuable than open conflict. When asked if the industry had implemented sufficient protections against the tech, the actress admitted that Hollywood is “probably not” doing enough to regulate its use.
Despite her call for pragmatism, Moore insisted that the core of filmmaking remains safe from automation. She stated that true art stems from the “spirit” and “soul” of the creator–elements she believes cannot be mimicked by technical processes.
The discussion surfaced as the 79th Cannes Film Festival prepared to open with Pierre Salvadori’s *The Electric Kiss*. Festival chief Thierry Fremaux noted on Monday that the global film industry is currently undergoing a “major shake-up” driven by the aftermath of the pandemic, recent strikes, and the rise of streaming platforms.
The intersection of art and external influence was a recurring theme at the conference. Jury president and director Park Chan-wook dismissed the idea that politics and art are in conflict, arguing that political statements are valuable as long as they are “expressed artfully” rather than as mere propaganda.
Moore is serving on this year’s competition jury alongside a panel of international filmmakers, including Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and actors Ruth Negga and Stellan Skarsgård. The jury will oversee the selection for the Palme d’Or during the festival, which runs from May 12 to May 23.
The debate around AI has become a central issue in global cinema following the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where writers and actors fought for contractual safeguards against digital replication and AI-generated content.
•Featured image: Demi Moore/Mike Marsland/WireImage
