The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that only acting and writing performed by humans will be eligible for Oscars, amid rising concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry. This update marks a significant change in eligibility requirements, as AI-generated performances and screenplays will be excluded from award consideration. The decision comes in response to a growing trend where filmmakers are using AI technology, such as recreating deceased actors like Val Kilmer for new roles, which has sparked backlash over the potential displacement of human talent, as seen previously during the writers’ strike two years ago.

Val Kilmer: Val Kilmer was an acclaimed American actor recognized for iconic roles in films such as Top Gun and Batman Forever. Following his death in 2025, his likeness has been recreated using AI for a lead role as a Catholic priest in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave, with consent obtained from his family. The project underscores ethical debates surrounding posthumous AI recreations in cinema.
Eline van der Velden: Eline van der Velden is a London-based actor and comedian who created Tilly Norwood, an entirely synthetic AI actress designed to become a global superstar. Her initiative has sparked intense backlash within the film industry, including death threats, amid fears that AI could displace human performers. It represents a bold experiment in generative AI for acting roles.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the professional honorary organization that presents the Academy Awards, known as the Oscars, to celebrate achievements in motion pictures. It recently updated eligibility rules for the Oscars to specify that acting must be demonstrably performed by humans with their consent and screenplays must be human-authored, barring AI-generated performances and writing from award consideration. This change marks a substantive response to the rising use of AI tools in film production.

Oscar Rule Changes: New guidelines allow AI use in films without impacting other eligibility but explicitly exclude AI-generated acting and screenplays from awards.
AI Performer Backlash: Synthetic actor projects such as Tilly Norwood have fueled Hollywood outrage over potential job displacement for human talent.
Posthumous AI Recreation: Filmmakers are employing AI to revive deceased actors like Val Kilmer in prominent roles for new productions.