Steven Spielberg Draws a Hard Line on AI in Hollywood: “Do Not Use AI as the Final Word on Anything Creative”

Steven Spielberg has weighed in on the growing use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, and while he sees some value in the technology, he’s making it clear that he doesn’t want machines steering the creative side of filmmaking.

During a recent appearance on Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s “IMO” podcast, the legendary filmmaker opened up about where he thinks AI belongs in the movie industry and where it absolutely doesn’t.

Spielberg explained that he understands AI can be useful in certain areas and even pointed to medical advancements as an example of technology doing real good in the world. But when it comes to storytelling, writing, directing, and artistic instinct, he doesn’t want computers stepping into the driver’s seat.

“Where I don’t love AI is where it takes a position or there’s an empty chair at a writer’s table,” Spielberg said. “I’m not willing to substitute, you know, because I don’t really believe in sentience.

“I don’t believe there is any substitute for the soul. I don’t think that is an algorithm that’s inventible… A computer that thinks it feels more than we feel is anathema to the way I was raised and how I’ll practice my own trade of producing and directing in the future.”

That perspective probably won’t surprise longtime fans of the filmmaker whose movies have always leaned heavily on emotion, humanity, and character-driven storytelling. Spielberg’s comments arrive at a time when AI tools are rapidly becoming part of conversations across every corner of Hollywood, from script development to visual effects and even digital performances.

Still, Spielberg isn’t rejecting the technology outright. He admitted AI could become a useful production tool, especially for tedious tasks that eat up time during development and pre-production.

The director of Jaws and Jurassic Park said AI could help “save us a lot of legwork” with things like location scouting, but he doesn’t want it making creative choices for filmmakers.

“Don’t tell me how to write my dialogue for this character. Don’t tell me where the camera has to go. And also don’t tell me what the set should look like, unless AI is simply a tool in a large tool chest of the production designer,” he added. “Use AI as a tool, but do not use AI as the final word on anything creative. That’s where I draw the line.”

It’s a viewpoint that many filmmakers, writers, and actors have echoed over the last couple of years as AI continues creeping further into entertainment production.

Concerns over replacing writers, reducing artistic collaboration, and stripping projects of human perspective became major talking points during the Hollywood strikes, and those conversations haven’t slowed down.

At the center of all of this is a debate Hollywood is still trying to figure out. AI can absolutely speed things up and make certain jobs easier, but there’s still a strong argument that storytelling needs a human heartbeat to truly connect with audiences.

Spielberg’s stance feels pretty clear. Let AI help organize data, or handle technical tasks if it makes production smoother. Just don’t hand it the creative soul of cinema.