Ben Affleck Slams AI in Hollywood: 'It Can't Replace Us'
Ben Affleck opens up about the growing role of AI in film, voicing doubts about its ability to match human creativity. He shares candid thoughts on the technology’s future and its impact on the entertainment industry.
Ben Affleck, the acclaimed actor and director behind hits like Argo and Gone Girl, recently weighed in on the heated debate over artificial intelligence in the entertainment world. During a candid conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience, Affleck discussed his latest action project with Matt Damon and didn’t hold back when it came to his concerns about AI ’s place in Hollywood.
Affleck acknowledged that artificial intelligence is making waves in the industry, but he’s far from convinced it can truly take over. When asked about the biggest challenge AI presents, he didn’t mince words.
"We've been spending time looking at this. My belief is it's sort of like, 'What's going to happen with electricity?' Well, a lot of sh*t's going to happen with electricity. Some of it's going to be good. Some of it's going to change stuff.
He went on to criticize the quality of AI-generated writing, saying,
You try to get ChatGPT or Claude or Gemini to write you something, it's really sh*tty. And it's sh*tty because, by its nature, it goes to the mean, to the average, and it's not reliable. I actually don't think it’s going to be able to write anything meaningful, and in particular, that it's going to be making movies from whole cloth, like Tilly Norwood – that's bullsh*t. I don't think that's gonna happen.
AI’s Rapid Rise and Hollywood’s Response
In 2025, the film and television industry saw a surge in the use of artificial intelligence, sparking fierce debate and controversy. The Oscar season was marked by heated discussions about AI’s role, and streaming giants like Netflix began experimenting with the technology in new ways. The unveiling of Tilly Norwood, the first AI-generated actress, drew mostly negative feedback from both audiences and critics.
Some studios, wary of potential copyright lawsuits, started to pull back on their AI investments. Others, however, doubled down, hoping to cut production costs and streamline their creative processes. Disney made headlines by signing a major agreement to allow AI-generated videos featuring their most popular characters and franchises.
Uncertainty and Skepticism in the Creative Community
Despite the rapid adoption of AI tools, many in the creative community remain skeptical about the technology’s ability to truly innovate. Affleck pointed out that much of the hype around AI comes from those with a financial stake in its success.
We have the sense there's this existential dread that it's gonna wipe everything out. But that runs counter to what history seems to show… I think a lot of that rhetoric comes from people trying to justify valuations around companies.
As the industry continues to grapple with the possibilities and pitfalls of artificial intelligence, Affleck’s words echo the concerns of many artists and writers. For now, the future of AI in Hollywood remains uncertain, with most hoping that genuine human creativity will continue to lead the way.