Nicolas Cage Slams AI Acting: 'Robots Can't Capture Human Emotion'

Nicolas Cage has publicly criticized the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that any actor who allows AI to alter their performance is heading towards "a dead end." He believes that "robots cannot reflect the human condition," emphasizing the importance of human authenticity in art. Cage made these remarks after winning the best actor award for his role in *Dream Scenario* at the Saturn Awards, using his acceptance speech to voice his concerns about AI.

During his speech, Cage expressed gratitude to director Kristoffer Borgli for his multifaceted contribution to the film. However, he quickly shifted focus to the "new AI world," which he finds disturbing. Cage stated, "I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us. That is a dead end if an actor lets one AI robot manipulate his or her performance even a little bit, an inch will eventually become a mile and all integrity, purity and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only. We can’t let that happen."

Cage further elaborated on the role of art, particularly film performances, in reflecting the human condition through thoughtful and emotional recreation, a process he believes robots are incapable of. He warned that allowing robots to take over this role would result in art lacking heart and becoming devoid of genuine human response, leading to a world where life is dictated by robotic interpretations rather than human experiences.

Cage's stance on AI is not isolated within the entertainment industry. Several voice actors have also voiced their opposition to AI, particularly in the realm of video games. Notable examples include Ned Luke from *Grand Theft Auto 5*, who criticized a chatbot using his voice, and Doug Cockle, the voice of *The Witcher*, who acknowledged AI's inevitability but highlighted its dangerous implications, suggesting that such technologies could rob voice actors of their income.

Filmmakers have mixed feelings about AI. Tim Burton has described AI-generated art as "very disturbing," while Zack Snyder, known for *Justice League* and *Rebel Moon*, advocates for embracing AI rather than resisting it.