Ben Affleck: AI will change Hollywood – but don’t worry, it won’t replace the stars (yet)

Ben Affleck isn’t worried about AI replacing actors—but he’s got serious thoughts on the future of Hollywood ’s tech-driven transformation. Ben Affleck took the stage at CNBC ’s Delivering Alpha 2024 investor summit with a vision for the future of filmmaking that’s as bold as his Hollywood career. His message? AI might not be stealing your job as an actor anytime soon—but if you're in visual effects, you might want to start updating your résumé. Affleck, who co-founded the production company Artists Equity with Matt Damon, addressed the growing concern that technology like AI will inevitably replace human creatives. His stance was clear: AI may help, but it won’t replace the soul of filmmaking. "Movies will be one of the last things to be replaced by AI," he said, offering a grounded take that has since gone viral. AI: The New Tool, Not the New Talent Affleck's reasoning? While AI might be able to generate some passable "Shakespearean verse," it’s still a long way from capturing the magic that happens when human actors bring a script to life. "The function of having two or three actors in a room—AI can’t replicate that," Affleck said. “It’s not going to create something new; it’s going to mix what already exists.” Instead of being a threat, Affleck views AI as a tool to streamline the more technical, cost-heavy aspects of filmmaking. With AI handling everything from fixing backgrounds to editing out flaws, costs could plummet, making the filmmaking process more accessible to indie creators. This, he believes, will lower the barrier to entry and empower new voices. Lights, Camera, AI—For Better or Worse That’s not to say AI won’t revolutionize parts of the industry. Affleck’s take on visual effects is more critical—he’s convinced that AI will devastate that sector by cutting costs and reducing the need for human labor. "If you’re in visual effects, you’re in trouble,” he quipped. "What costs a lot of money now will soon cost a lot less." But it’s not all doom and gloom. Affleck imagines a future where AI allows fans to interact with their favorite shows in unprecedented ways—like creating custom episodes of Succession on demand. Picture it: for $30, you could watch Kendall take over the company and have an affair with Stewy. The future is here, and it’s personalized. Reactions: Divided but Engaged Affleck’s comments, shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), sparked a lively debate. Some applauded his take as refreshingly practical, praising him for offering a balanced perspective on AI’s role in filmmaking. Others, however, weren’t so convinced, arguing that AI could lead to a dilution of originality and further consolidation of power in Hollywood’s mega-studios. One user suggested that the real question is whether indie filmmakers will embrace AI or fight it. "If they embrace it, it’ll open doors for small productions. If they regulate it out of existence, big studios will dominate," they commented. Still, one thing’s for certain: Affleck’s remarks are sparking a much-needed conversation about the future of filmmaking in the age of AI—and it’s clear that the intersection of creativity and technology will continue to be a hot topic for years to come.