Sandra Bullock Says Hollywood Needs to “Lean Into” AI and Make It “Our Friend”

As Hollywood is trying to figure out where artificial intelligence fits into the creative process, Sandra Bullockis weighing in with a perspective that’s both cautious and surprisingly open-minded.

While speaking at the CNBC Changemakers Summit, Bullock didn’t dismiss the technology outright. Instead, she leaned into the idea that AI isn’t going anywhere and might actually have a role to play in the future of filmmaking.

The conversation came up while Bullock sat alongside Warner Bros. Pictures co-chair and CEO Pam Abdy, as the two discussed the growing presence of AI in entertainment.

One example that sparked the discussion was the wave of AI-generated fan trailers for Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel that Bullock is starring in and producing. The film is already building anticipation ahead of its theatrical release this fall, and fans have taken matters into their own hands by creating their own previews using AI tools.

Abdy admitted the trend is a bit of a mixed bag, but she sees the upside. “I know it’s not great, but it’s also exciting, because that means that there’s a desire for it and that means that people want to come and play with the movie. And that’s exciting.”

Bullock, who’s no stranger to having her likeness used in unexpected ways, approached the topic with humor at first, joking, “Well, there could be worse [things] with my image!” But she quickly shifted into a more thoughtful take on the situation.

“But it’s here. We have to observe it. We have to understand it. We have to lean into it. We have to use it in a really constructive and creative way, make it our friend rather than — I mean, we have to be incredibly cautious and aware of it because there are people who will use it for evil and not good. But I do feel that there’s a place for it… It’s here. We have to just be friends in some dark way.”

That mix of curiosity and concern seems to be the tone a lot of industry leaders are adopting right now. Abdy backed that up, emphasizing that AI should be viewed as a creative tool rather than a replacement for filmmakers.

“We have to acknowledge it, we have to understand it, and we have to look at it. I think we have to look at it as a tool and on the production side as a tool. How is it going to be used to help us make movies better for the filmmakers? It has to be a tool for the storytellers.”

She added, “It’s evolving every single day. It’s moving very rapidly. And I just think we as a community have to, again, like Sandra said, acknowledge it, understand it, learn about it and move forward.”

Bullock’s comments line up with what Reese Witherspoon recently shared online, where she encouraged people, especially women, to start learning how to use AI tools instead of ignoring them. Her take stirred up debate, but it highlights how quickly the conversation around AI is shifting across the industry.

For now, Bullock is focused on bringing fans back into the world of Practical Magic, with Practical Magic 2 set to hit theaters on September 18. But as AI continues to evolve, it’s clear that even established stars are thinking hard about how to adapt.

Hollywood isn’t exactly comfortable with AI yet. But, if Bullock’s outlook is any indication, the industry might be heading toward a future where creatives don’t fight the technology, they learn how to work with it.

Via: Variety