Nicolas Cage Wins Big at Saturn Awards, Warns Against AI's Threat to True Art
February 3, 2025
At the 52nd annual Saturn Awards held on February 2, 2025, Nicolas Cage won the Best Actor award for his role in 'Dream Scenario'.
During his acceptance speech, Cage expressed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry, emphasizing that robots cannot replicate the human condition.
He paid tribute to the late David Lynch, recalling how Lynch encouraged him to have fun while acting in 'Wild at Heart'.
Cage's warnings about AI come amid ongoing backlash against its use in filmmaking, particularly following the controversy surrounding the film 'The Brutalist', which faced criticism for using AI to modify performances.
Cage warned that reliance on AI could compromise the integrity of art, prioritizing financial interests over genuine artistic expression.
His concerns align with those raised by musicians like Paul McCartney and Elton John, who oppose a proposed U.K. copyright law that would allow AI to train on artists' work without consent.
Opinions on AI in filmmaking are divided, with some, like Tim Burton, finding AI-generated art disturbing, while others, like Zack Snyder, advocate for embracing AI as a tool.
Voice actors, including Ned Luke from 'Grand Theft Auto 5', have protested against AI technologies that threaten their livelihoods.
The debate over AI in Hollywood has intensified, especially following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which focused on protecting artists from AI-related exploitation.
In contrast, Tom Hanks has noted the potential of AI to allow actors to appear younger or continue performing posthumously.
Cage's sentiments resonate with many actors who have voiced concerns about AI recreating performances without consent.
As the industry grapples with these issues, the 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 2, 2025, amid ongoing discussions about the role of AI in film.
Summary based on 9 sources
Get a daily email with more Tech stories
Sources

The Guardian • Feb 3, 2025
‘Robots cannot reflect the human condition’: Nicolas Cage speaks out against AI
Business Insider • Feb 4, 2025
Nicolas Cage warns his fellow actors to protect themselves from AI
Rolling Stone • Feb 3, 2025
Nicolas Cage Cautions Against Actors Using AI: ‘Robots Cannot Reflect the Human Condition’
Variety • Feb 2, 2025
Nicolas Cage on AI in Acting: Robots Cannot Reflect the Human Condition