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As artificial intelligence continues to threaten intellectual property, the announcement is a sigh of relief for those working in the creative industries.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has clarified that only acting and writing for films done by humans will be considered eligible to win an Academy Award.
A few years ago, it would’ve been hard to take that statement seriously. But in the age of AI, questions of intellectual property and human craftsmanship are no longer the domain of a Black Mirror plotline.
Across the creative industries, artificial intelligence continues to threaten jobs – forcing us to re-examine what art means in an era defined by technology. Whether it’s writers, graphic designers, or painters, AI is replacing human beings as a cheaper, more efficient alternative. This is particularly true in industries like advertising and marketing, but artificial intelligence has also encroached on high-brow arts like film, TV and music.
The Academy’s decision to ban all non-human work from being put forward for awards marks a major milestone in efforts to monitor AI. As these systems continue to redefine what it means to be a human and a creator, the Oscars have implemented a vital shield against AI’s influence over modern cinema.
Updated requirements, shared last week, specify that only acting ‘demonstrably performed by humans’ and that writing ‘must be human-authored’ in order to be nominated for an award. As the most prestigious and high-profile awards show in Hollywood, the Academy is setting an important precedent.
It comes amidst rapid developments in AI and expansion of its use in major movies. Val Kilmer, who died in 2025, is set to be recreated with AI in order to play a lead role in an upcoming film ‘As Deep as the Grave.’ The Hollywood writers strike, which took place two years ago and caused major disruption across the industry, was also triggered by concerns that AI would be used to write scripts.
‘The Academy and each brand will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award,’ the organisation stated.
‘If questions arise regarding the aforementioned use of generative artificial intelligence, the Academy reserves the right to request more information about the nature of the use and human authorship.’
Defenders of AI are quick to argue that we need to embrace this technology to prevent it from overtaking us. But it’s crucial to point out that the Academy’s decision isn’t a blind dismissal of artificial intelligence.
The fact that these systems will be integrated into many layers of the creative process – whether that’s in cinema or beyond – is undeniable at this stage. But the Academy is only asking that AI’s use be contextualised.
