Nicolas Cage Slams AI Acting: 'Robots Can't Capture Human Essence'

Nicolas Cage has strongly criticized the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that any actor who allows AI to alter their performance is heading towards "a dead end." He emphasized that "robots cannot reflect the human condition," underscoring his belief that AI poses a significant threat to the integrity of artistic expression.

During his acceptance speech for the best actor award for his role in *Dream Scenario* at the Saturn Awards, as reported by Variety, Cage expressed gratitude to director Kristoffer Borgli for his multifaceted contributions to the film. However, he quickly shifted focus to a pressing concern: the rise of AI. "I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us," Cage stated. He argued that allowing AI to manipulate an actor's performance, even minimally, could lead to a slippery slope where the purity and truth of art are overtaken by financial interests alone.

Cage firmly believes that the essence of art, particularly film performance, is to serve as a mirror reflecting both the external and internal narratives of the human condition through a deeply human, thoughtful, and emotional process. He cautioned that if AI were to take over this role, the result would be devoid of heart and ultimately lose its edge, reducing life's portrayal to a robotic perspective. "Protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions," he urged.

Cage is not alone in his reservations about AI. The voice acting community has been particularly vocal, with actors like Ned Luke from *Grand Theft Auto 5* and Doug Cockle from *The Witcher* expressing concerns over AI's impact on their profession. Luke has criticized chatbots that mimic his voice, while Cockle acknowledged AI's inevitability but also its dangers, echoing sentiments about AI potentially robbing voice actors of income.

Filmmakers have also weighed in on the AI debate, though their opinions are not uniform. Tim Burton has described AI-generated art as "very disturbing," whereas Zack Snyder advocates for filmmakers to embrace AI rather than resist it, suggesting that standing idly by is not an option.