Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg spoke out against the use of artificial intelligence technology in creative work in an interview at the SXSW conference in Austin on Friday. When asked how he saw the benefit of AI as part of the filmmaking process, Spielberg replied, “I haven’t used AI in any of my films yet,” to a standing ovation and cheers from the audience.
The director/producer/screenwriter who became a household name in blockbusters such as Jaws, ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark and many others is not necessarily anti-technology. His own films, such as Minority Report, Ready Player One and, of course, AI Artificial Intelligence, imagined worlds filled with both good and bad technology.
At SXSW 2026, Spielberg said he doesn’t want to get hyped about AI, noting that he’s in favor of the technology “across many disciplines,” but that there’s “no empty chair with a laptop in front of it” in writers’ rooms, not even a TV. That is, he does not entrust creativity to the machine.
“If AI replaces a creative person, I’m not in favor of artificial intelligence,” he said.
Of course, someone like Spielberg might not need AI help. Artificial intelligence startups are pitching themselves to indie filmmakers with limited resources. Elsewhere, big names in streaming are also trying to use AI. Amazon said this this year test tools for AI in film and television productionand Netflix was acquired earlier this month Ben Affleck’s artificial intelligence film production company reported 600 million dollars.
