George Lucas Embraces AI, Declares It ‘The Future’ of Gaming
It’s hard to believe that not every renowned filmmaker is swayed by the allure of AI, yet it seems like we’re hearing more and more about industry figures embracing artificial intelligence as the next big thing in filmmaking. The latest to join this trend? George Lucas, the mastermind behind Star Wars, and his reasoning is a bit disheartening.
In a recent chat, Lucas opened up about his career and the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in L.A., which aims to celebrate decades of human creativity and highlight “stories and people who tell them.” Throughout the interview, he shared valuable insights into the filmmaking process, reflected on his collaborations with directors like Steven Spielberg, and offered some candid thoughts on the drawbacks of focus group testing and whether audiences truly understand what they enjoy in films.
“If they don’t like a character, that’s interesting, and as a filmmaker, I want to find out why,” he noted. “But when studios hear that, they misinterpret it. They let the audience dictate the movie. Now, it’s all about fan opinions. That’s not how you create a film. You make a movie by collaborating with someone who knows the craft, has a compelling story, and is passionate about it.”
Strangely, this call for human-driven storytelling is juxtaposed with his assertion that AI represents “the future,” likening the refusal to adopt new technology to clinging to outdated modes of transport in the age of cars.
“Artificial intelligence makes it much easier for us to create films,” he stated. “It’s like saying, ‘I believe the horse and buggy is the way to go. These cars break down, need gas, and have all sorts of issues, and soon they’ll be turned into tanks that cause destruction. It’s awful.’ But that’s progress; it’s the future.”
While he did acknowledge the potential dangers of AI when pressed further, he emphasized the advantages he believes it will bring.
“If you want AI to identify fakes and trace their origins, it can do that,” he explained. “Humans can’t match that capability. The key is that as a human, you’re accountable for your words and actions, and if you engage in illegal activities, you should face consequences. Whatever you do should be acknowledged. It’s just like real life.”
There’s a memorable moment in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back where Luke Skywalker, training with Yoda, questions whether the dark side of the Force is stronger than the light. Yoda responds that it’s not, but many are drawn to it because it’s “quicker, easier, more seductive.” This scene, released 46 years ago, perfectly encapsulates the logic Lucas seems to be applying here.
He champions the value of human artistry but then argues that utilizing technology known for appropriating human work and often producing inferior results would streamline filmmaking. It’s “the future,” and there’s “nothing you can do about it”? It’s contradictory to assert that the essence of great films lies in the human spirit while simultaneously endorsing a technology that threatens to strip that very element from the filmmaking process. If that makes me naive and means I’m resisting the inevitable, then I’ll stand my ground.
