Cinema has always reflected technological evolution. However, the 2025 Oscars marked an unprecedented moment: two films that used AI to modify actors’ performances won major categories. The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez made history by openly admitting they used AI to enhance voices. In The Brutalist, the technology also adjusted László Tóth’s Hungarian accent, played by Adrien Brody. Does this advance the industry or undermine the authenticity of acting? Will AI become a recognized form of artistic expression in cinema?
The controversy grew when the productions revealed their use of these technologies only after receiving nominations. If no one had disclosed it, would the audience have noticed? This situation raises an urgent question: is art truly integrating AI in a creative way, or are we prioritizing artificial perfection over human talent?
Actors or Algorithms? The Technology Behind the Oscars
In The Brutalist, AI made Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones sound like native Hungarian speakers. Previously, actors spent months or even years perfecting accents to bring authenticity to their roles. Now, with Respeecher, an actor can sound fluent in any language without studying it. In Emilia Pérez, digital modifications allowed lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón to reach notes beyond her natural vocal range. The result? A polished performance that never truly existed.
Hollywood has used technology to shape performances before. In Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel relied on advanced facial capture and computational techniques to create a digital version of Thanos, played by Josh Brolin. In Tron: Legacy, Jeff Bridges appeared digitally de-aged. Previously, studios used these technologies to craft fictional characters. Now, they refine human performances, which changes everything.
Facial capture and machine learning for CGI
From Protest to Awards: AI and the New Era of Acting
The 2023 writers’ and actors’ strike exposed the risks of uncontrolled AI use in the industry. It also secured a commitment to require artists’ consent before using AI. In theory, this seemed like a victory. However, productions have found loopholes, allowing implementation without giving professionals full control over their images and voices. Some actors were forced to undergo full-body scans without knowing how that data would be used in the future. Their concerns were not exaggerated.
The Academy Awards, by recognizing The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, may have signaled a shift in acting. If AI-enhanced performances can compete equally with human ones, what stops studios from using digital actors to cut costs and optimize performances?
The controversy grew when Karla Sofía Gascón won Best Actress over Fernanda Torres. The Brazilian’s performance in I’m Still Here was entirely natural, while Gascón’s was digitally enhanced to reach impossible vocal ranges without AI. This raises an inevitable question: how can fairness be ensured when one actor relies solely on talent while another benefits from technology?
James Cameron, Disney, and AI’s Path in Cinema
This debate extends beyond the 2025 Oscars. As the film industry adopts AI, directors and studios seek innovative ways to integrate it into productions. James Cameron has embraced the AI revolution, joining Stability AI’s board to explore its impact on cinema. Meanwhile, Disney invests in advanced digital de-aging technologies, including deepfakes. Luke Skywalker’s return in The Book of Boba Fett demonstrated this progress. Although Lucasfilm avoids calling it deepfake, the technique closely resembles it and advances digital character creation.
James Cameron, film director.
Luke Skywalker deepfake in The Book of Boba Fett
How Far Can Technology Go Without Destroying Cinema’s Essence?
Actors used to transform themselves for roles. Christoph Waltz, for instance, learned four languages to play the villain in Inglourious Basterds. Daniel Brühl refined his French for the same film. Today, with a single click, any actor can appear fluent in a language without studying a word. Is this progress, or a shortcut that diminishes human dedication?
The influence of AI extends beyond acting. Tools like Jukebox AI generate new music without musicians or composers. Meanwhile, the dubbing industry feels the impact, as software replicates voices with remarkable accuracy. As technology advances, the question remains: what still distinguishes an artist from an algorithm?
Will the 2026 Oscars Award the Best AI?
If this trend continues, the Academy may need to introduce a category recognizing AI in films. But is that the best approach? Film festivals are already debating the ethical boundaries of these innovations, and some reject movies made entirely with AI. However, technological progress is inevitable, and audiences will play a crucial role in shaping cinema’s future.
Would you watch a film knowing the lead performance was artificially enhanced? Or do you believe human imperfection should remain cinema’s core? What once seemed futuristic is happening now. As AI in Cinema becomes a reality, the answers to these questions could shape the industry’s direction.
