Christopher Nolan, the Oscar-winning director of his new film 'The Odyssey,' has drawn comparisons between artificial intelligence and the Trojan horse from Greek mythology. Nolan said it has been 'pretty encouraging' to see deep skepticism toward AI, particularly from young people. He responded to a question from interviewer Hugo Travers, who referenced the Trojan horse as a metaphor for AI's potential hidden dangers. 'I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside,' Nolan said, describing the technology as a 'transparent horse, it’s made of glass.' Nolan emphasized that the public's suspicion of AI is extreme, with young people often labeling it as 'AI slop.'
Nolan described the rapid advancement of AI as something that has been 'completely rejected by the public,' noting that the technology has become a growing source of concern in Hollywood. The director, who is also president of the Directors Guild of America, mentioned that AI was a major focus during the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. He added that the technology has been a point of contention in the industry, with some fearing it could replace traditional methods like film. Nolan, who has been resistant to other technologies such as smartphones, said he sees himself as a 'techno-skeptic,' embracing new technology but wary of its impact on existing systems.
Nolan didn't elaborate on what he views as the specific threat from AI, but he stressed the importance of skepticism toward both the technology and the motives of those promoting it. 'That’s when we’ll get the best out of a new technology, rather than just blind faith that everything’s going to be great,' he said. His comments reflect broader concerns within Hollywood about the role of AI in creative processes and the potential for it to disrupt traditional practices. Nolan’s stance highlights the tension between innovation and the preservation of established methods in the film industry.
Source: techcrunch
