Mark Wahlberg, an actor and director, shared his views on the ethical use of AI in filmmaking during a TechCrunch Disrupt event on October 16, 2026.

He emphasized that AI should be used to enhance, not replace, real actors in the filmmaking process.

"I don’t think you should just, you know, put an idea into ChatGPT and it puts out a script, and then you should go make that and not use real actors," Wahlberg said.

"But if you can use it to enhance what you’re doing, I’m all for that."

Wahlberg, who is also an entrepreneur and angel investor, mentioned his potential use of AI in the upcoming Pete Rose biopic, in which he stars as the title character.

He explained that AI could be used to enhance the stadium setting and other visual elements of the film. "It’s a fairly expensive movie, but we’re talking about utilizing AI to enhance the stadium setting, things of that nature," he said.

"I think it’s hard to do that, so I’m not so passionate about effects-driven movies per se, as opposed to real storytelling."

When asked by TechCrunch Editor-in-Chief Connie Loizos about visiting the CAA Vault, a facility that allows actors to create AI replicas, Wahlberg said he hadn’t, but would be open to the idea.

"I would be interested because I think in the future, if that’s where things go, it would be cool that my children or my grandchildren could be in charge of my likeness and my image," he said.

"And hopefully put me in some good movies."

Wahlberg also expressed openness to having an AI version of his likeness continue his legacy in an animated series, "Ted." "I think it’s cool if I’m no longer able to do it or don’t exist, and if it could continue and people want to see it, I think it’d be interesting to see where things go," he said.

"I think people are going to have massive opportunities to watch whatever it is they want, and if there’s a real audience for that, they should be entitled to have what they want to see."

The discussion followed a broader conversation about the role of AI in the entertainment industry. Wahlberg highlighted the importance of maintaining the core of storytelling in filmmaking, even as technology evolves. He did not say whether he would use AI in his upcoming projects, but expressed openness to exploring its potential in a responsible manner.

Source: techcrunch