James Cameron Draws the Line on AI in Avatar Films

James Cameron, the bloke behind Avatar: Fire and Ash, has never been one to mince words about artificial intelligence. He’s made it clear there’s a difference between the creative tools popping up in the industry and the more serious, looming threat of advanced AI. While some filmmakers are keen to experiment with new tech, Cameron’s not having a bar of it when it comes to his much-loved franchise. He’s assured punters that AI won’t be making an appearance in the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash or any future instalments.

Speaking to ComicBook, Cameron explained,

“I’m not negative about generative AI. I just wanted to point out we don’t use it on the Avatar films. We honour and celebrate actors. We don’t replace actors. That’s going to find its level. I think Hollywood will be self-policing on that. We’ll find our way through that. But we can only find our way through it as artists if we exist. So it’s the existential threat from big AI that worries me more than all that stuff.”

AI in Film: Where Cameron Stands

It’s not the first time Cameron’s flagged concerns about artificial intelligence. The central conflict in his iconic Terminator series is all about a rogue AI, Skynet, that takes over the world with nuclear weapons and relentless androids. That story’s become a bit of a warning for tech types, and Cameron reckons the message is finally starting to sink in, even if the industry’s still throwing heaps of cash at AI development.

He points out that the so-called ‘Skynet Problem’ is now a real topic of discussion.

“They call it the ‘Skynet Problem,’ and it’s being discussed,”

he says.

“But obviously, what they’re talking about is alignment. They have to be trained, they have to be taught, they have to be constrained in a way that they only work toward human good. The problem is, who makes that decision? Who decides what’s good for us? We can’t agree amongst ourselves on a damn thing…so whose morality, whose sense of what’s best for us, is going to prevail? We’re not going to figure this out in time.”

Industry Shifts and Ongoing Debates

With AI becoming a hot topic in creative circles, Cameron’s take is that the industry will sort itself out when it comes to using generative tools for things like scripts or digital actors. He’s confident that respect for performers will keep things in check, at least in his own projects. But he’s not shy about saying the bigger issue is what happens if advanced AI gets out of hand, and who gets to decide how it’s used.

He’s not alone in his worries, but he’s one of the few high-profile directors to draw such a clear line. For now, fans can rest easy knowing that the world of Pandora will stay free from AI-generated performances or scripts. Cameron’s focus is on the human side of storytelling, and he’s not about to let technology take the mickey out of that.

Looking Ahead to Avatar: Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to hit Aussie cinemas on 19 December. While the debate over AI in film rages on, Cameron’s approach is to keep things grounded and let the story and actors shine. For those keen on what’s next, there’s a whole line-up of much-hyped films coming in 2025 and beyond, but you won’t find AI running the show in Cameron’s corner of the industry.