Ben Affleck on AI’s Role in Filmmaking

Actor Ben Affleck has addressed concerns regarding artificial intelligence in the film industry, suggesting that AI won’t be creating entire films but rather serving as a “tool” to simplify workflows in areas that are “expensive and cumbersome” for traditional filmmaking.

While appearing on the The Joe Rogan Experience, Affleck shared his thoughts on how he believes AI will transform the filmmaking process. He downplayed the fears some have expressed, noting that other Hollywood figures have also commented on the role of technology.

He stated, “I don’t think it’s likely that AI will create meaningful content on its own. For example, Tilly Norwood is a project that many are concerned about, but it won’t truly replace human creativity,” he emphasized.

Director James Cameron has voiced similar sentiments, pointing out that the core issue with regulating AI is humanity’s struggle to agree on what constitutes morality.

Affleck also mentioned Tilly Norwood, an entirely AI-generated virtual actress launched by Eline van der Velden’s company Particle 6 in 2025. This development ignited discussions within the industry regarding the potential replacement of human actors.

He believes that AI won’t replace human creativity, despite common perceptions. “It feels like the technology isn’t evolving as rapidly or as dramatically as some suggest,” he observed. “It’s akin to a visual effects tool, and it has its own limitations.”

Addressing the need for protections, he claimed there are laws to prevent unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses. “You can’t just sell someone’s image for profit. There are legal repercussions,” he noted, predicting that unions will eventually regulate AI usage in film.

He also pointed out that AI might be beneficial for simulating remote locations, drastically reducing production costs. “Instead of traveling to the North Pole, for instance, you could shoot a scene locally and make it appear authentic,” he explained. “This saves time and resources while allowing actors to focus on their performances.”

Affleck suggested that the worries surrounding AI may stem from deeper existential fears about technology’s influence on society. “I sometimes find myself anxious about AI’s potential to disrupt everything. But historically, adoption of new technology tends to be slow and gradual,” he reflected.

On top of these worries, he noted that a lot of the discourse surrounding AI comes from companies trying to justify their investments in the technology. “Many of these narratives about AI’s impending domination are driven by businesses looking to rationalize their funding,” he asserted.

He summarized that a lot of the hype comes from those trying to inflate their company’s value by predicting massive changes. “The reality is that while AI is evolving, the improvements are incremental and often costly,” he concluded.