Artificial intelligence has been a constant conversation in all aspects of life for the past few years, and with the 2025 Oscars around the corner, the topic of AI use in film has resurfaced. At ASU, film students are navigating rapid innovation in the industry and how their own education and future careers might be affected.
This year it's been confirmed that multiple Oscar nominated films used AI one way or another during production. Two notable films up for Best Picture that caused controversy were "The Brutalist" and "Emilia Pérez."
The Guardian reported that both films used AI cloning software to enhance actors' voices: "The Brutalist" to improve actors' Hungarian accents and "Emilia Pérez" to improve actors' singing.
"That (AI) was used by a Hungarian sound designer to enhance the actors' performances to make them sound more Hungarian," said Connor J. Murphy, a junior studying film and media production and economics. "Now, of course, that raises issues on the (award) eligibility of the performances."
Both "Emilia Pérez" and "The Brutalist" have nominations in acting and editing categories for The Oscars.
With AI more prevalent than before, film students are adapting to this new technology.
Josie DeBord, a junior studying film and media production, said AI can be akin to the rise of digital cameras. She said there was a point in time when directors didn't want to shoot digital, but one day digital cameras became the norm, and those directors were then left without opportunities.
"Learning as much as we can about the changing of the industry while we're in film school should be one of the priorities," DeBord said.
DeBord has found there isn't one clear attitude toward AI in her classes at ASU's Sidney Poitier New American Film School. She said it is a case-by-case discussion depending on the professor. Some navigate AI with students while some prohibit its use completely.
"I do wish there was a little bit more instruction on how to prompt it, how to get what you need, especially in different softwares," DeBord said.
While there may be an understanding of AI's growing presence in the industry, one thing students can agree on is that artist integrity must not suffer.
Justin Eckert, a junior studying film and media production, said AI should be used to aid production, not create it.
"AI should be used as a tool and not as a final product," Eckert said. "It's a tool for self-expression. Many artists use references. AI is great for creating reference or finding where to have your starting points."
AI, at its core, is a tool. In film it can aid in post-production, organization and even serve as inspiration. But Murphy, like many film students, said it should end there.
"I don't think it's appropriate if you're ever using AI in a way that would stifle your own creativity," Murphy said. "It shouldn't be used as something to carry the burden of being creative. That's something that should be placed on the shoulders of humans exclusively."
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Braccio and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at jagon128@asu.edu.
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Jazlyn is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Blaze Radio.
