Academy sets new rules for AI in Oscar-eligible films

The organization behind the Academy Awards released new Oscar rules on Friday, establishing boundaries for the use of generative artificial intelligence in films seeking the industry’s honors. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that only performances credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent will be eligible for Academy Awards. In a parallel requirement targeting the writing process, the Academy stated that screenplays must be human-authored to qualify for eligibility. These dual requirements draw a line between human-created art and machine-generated content, addressing separate criteria for acting and writing.

To enforce these standards, the Academy has reserved the right to request more information about a film’s AI usage and human authorship. This auditing power allows the organization to verify compliance directly, ensuring that productions cannot bypass the human-authorship and human-performance mandates. The regulatory shift comes amid growing industry-wide tensions over the integration of artificial intelligence in creative roles. These tensions were highlighted by the actors’ and writers’ strikes in 2023, where AI was a primary sticking point.

The policy update also arrives as the technology begins to find its way into active productions, and as new video models cause at least a few filmmakers to make sweeping declarations of despair. For instance, an independent film is currently in development featuring an AI-generated version of actor Val Kilmer. Meanwhile, Tilly Norwood, an AI actress, has continued to make headlines, highlighting the progression of digital performances. By formalizing these rules, the Academy is establishing a regulatory framework for Hollywood as filmmakers navigate the boundaries of generative AI.

Outside Hollywood, the tension over generative AI is reflecting similar patterns in other creative sectors. At least one novel has been pulled by its publisher due to the apparent use of AI, and other writers’ groups are declaring that AI usage makes work ineligible for awards. The Academy’s decision represents a formalized effort to protect human authorship and performance as generative tools become more accessible to creators.

Why it matters

This move by the Academy formalizes the industry’s stance on generative AI, setting a clear boundary between human-created art and machine-generated content for the world’s most prestigious film awards.