Nicolas Cage Slams AI Acting: 'Robots Can't Capture Human Essence'

Nicolas Cage has expressed strong reservations about the use of artificial intelligence in acting, warning that any actor who allows AI to alter their performance is heading towards "a dead end." He believes that "robots cannot reflect the human condition," a sentiment he shared while accepting the best actor award for his role in *Dream Scenario* at the Saturn Awards, as reported by Variety.

In his acceptance speech, Cage thanked director Kristoffer Borgli for his multifaceted contributions to the film, but quickly shifted focus to the broader issue of AI. "I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us," Cage stated. He emphasized that allowing AI to manipulate an actor's performance, even minimally, could lead to a slippery slope where "all integrity, purity, and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only."

Cage underscored the essential role of art, including film performances, in mirroring the human condition through a deeply human process of recreation. He argued that AI lacks the heart and emotional depth necessary to authentically represent life, warning that reliance on AI could result in a loss of genuine human expression. "If we let robots do that, it will lack all heart and eventually lose edge and turn to mush," he cautioned.

Cage's views echo concerns raised by other actors, particularly in the voice acting community. Notable voice actors like Ned Luke from *Grand Theft Auto 5* and Doug Cockle from *The Witcher* have criticized the use of AI, especially in chatbots that replicate their voices without consent, viewing it as a threat to their livelihoods.

The film industry has also seen a divide in opinions about AI. While legendary director Tim Burton finds AI-generated art "very disturbing," Zack Snyder, known for *Justice League* and *Rebel Moon*, advocates for embracing AI rather than resisting it.