Ben Affleck says AI can help make films but cannot replace writers

In short: Ben Affleck says AI can speed up parts of filmmaking, but it cannot match the human judgment needed to write meaningful stories.

What's going on

Ben Affleck discussed AI on The Joe Rogan Experience with Matt Damon. He pushed back on the idea that AI will replace Hollywood writers. He argued that AI writing tools, such as ChatGPT, tend to produce average, bland results.

Affleck said AI is strong at imitation, like writing a poem that sounds like it came from another time (similar to how a cover band can sound like a famous group). But he said it cannot create truly original work in the way great writers do. In his view, AI mixes and repeats patterns it has already seen, instead of making something new.

He also drew a line between craft and art. He said a craftsman knows how to do the work, and AI can copy that. But art is knowing when to stop and what to leave out, and he said that depends on human judgment.

Affleck described AI as more useful behind the scenes. He pointed to uses like visual effects and simulating locations in a studio, which can save time and money. He also said change will likely be gradual, and that audiences still prefer stories that feel authentically human.

What to watch

More studios are testing AI tools for production chores, while writers and actors push for clear rules on credit and likeness (your face and voice). The key question is whether AI stays a tool for making films cheaper and faster, or starts influencing creative decisions that shape the story.

Source: TechCrunch AI