Stan Nze: I wish I had an AI version of me to work for me when I’m booked

07 May 2026, 14:42 by Taiwo Oshunloye · TheCable Lifestyle

Stan Nze, the Nigerian actor, has weighed in on the growing conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking.

The actor spoke on Wednesday at the AMVCA Young Filmmaker’s Day, held as part of activities leading up to the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Themed ‘Audacious Storytelling and Attracting the Right Opportunities’, the session brought together emerging creatives navigating the rapidly evolving film industry.

At the event, Nze addressed the increasing use of AI-generated replicas in entertainment, particularly as actors across the world begin licensing their images to tech companies.

The filmmaker said he sees potential in using AI versions of himself for projects, especially when his schedule is packed.

“There are times when I’m so booked and I wish I had my image somewhere, and I’m like, ‘This date, I get am for AI o and I get paid’. So, how do I maximise my image? I do not have time to be on every set. Everybody wants a date; I don’t have it, but my AI has a date,” he said.

Nze, however, warned filmmakers against relying heavily on AI without first mastering the fundamentals of storytelling.

“Trust me, if you didn’t know what a good story was, anything that AI gives you is what you’d accept,” he said.

“If you told AI to help you do a script, and if you didn’t have basic knowledge of what good scriptwriting is, what films convey great emotion and what films people will see and be moved to tears by, you would be at the mercy of whatever AI gives you.”

The actor also stressed that filmmakers must still invest in learning the craft, understanding human behaviour and developing storytelling skills.

“As a filmmaker, you need to know your onions. You need to understand what filmmaking is about; you still need to go to film school. You still need to learn human behaviour. AI should enhance, not take over your job,” he said.

Nze said he is optimistic about the future relationship between filmmakers and artificial intelligence.

“I’m looking forward to the time where we really collaborate with this technology,” he added.

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