Oscars 2026: Films must disclose their AI usage
10 Feb 2025

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is said to be mulling making it compulsory for filmmakers to declare their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in movies, especially those vying for the Oscars.

The move comes as concerns grow over the increasing use of AI in making films.

The proposed change's details are likely to be included in the 2026 Oscars rules, due in April.

Academy's SciTech Council is working on recommended language
Disclosure details

Per Variety, the Academy currently offers an optional disclosure form for AI use in films.

However, the Governors and Branch executive committees are now looking into how AI is used in each branch with an eye toward making this disclosure mandatory.

The Academy's SciTech Council is also reportedly working on recommended language for these disclosures.

AI use in films has sparked recent controversies
Controversial usage

The proposed rule change comes after recent controversies over the use of AI in films like The Brutalist and Emilia Perez.

The Brutalist was criticized after it was revealed that AI was used in post-production, prompting director Brady Corbet to clarify its limited usage.

Emilia Perez also used AI to clone actors' voices. Other Oscar contenders like A Complete Unknown and Dune: Part 2 have used AI to varying degrees.

AI's role in visual effects and film production
Technological impact

While AI has long been a part of visual effects, its growing involvement in film production has attracted more attention.

This year's Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards feature a number of nominees in the emerging technology category that depend on AI.

One such nominee, Australia-based Rising Sun Pictures, created a machine learning toolset called Revize, employed for face replacements, de-aging, and other digital alterations.

AI's role in enhancing visual effects
VFX enhancement

Rising Sun's toolset was used in multiple films, including A Complete Unknown and Deadpool & Wolverine.

In A Complete Unknown, AI was utilized in three wide shots to make stunt performers look like the lead actor.

Similarly, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga utilized AI-based tools in some 150 shots to age the character Furiosa from a child to an adult.

Among concerns regarding transparency and artistic integrity, some have argued that AI should only aid storytelling, not replace humans.