Actor Nicolas Cage used his Best Actor acceptance speech at the 52nd Saturn Awards to deliver a passionate warning about artificial intelligence’s potential threat to artistic creativity in filmmaking. Speaking at the Hilton Universal City Hotel on Sunday, Cage argued strongly for preserving the human element in artistic expression.
Receiving the award for his role in “Dream Scenario,” the 61-year-old actor emphasized the critical importance of human emotional depth in performance. “The job of all art is to hold a mirror to the human condition,” Cage stated, cautioning that AI-generated performances would ultimately “lack heart and turn to mush.”
Cage’s concerns aren’t new. In October, he previously expressed worry about potential misuse of his digital body scans, fearing posthumous manipulation of his image through AI technology. At the Saturn Awards, which honor achievements in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, he made his stance clear: “I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us.”
The actor praised “Dream Scenario” director Kristoffer Borgli while simultaneously critiquing the entertainment industry’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence. He argued that genuine artistic expression requires a deeply human “thoughtful and emotional process of recreation” that machines cannot replicate.
During the ceremony, which also honored veterans like William Shatner and recognized actors Laurence Fishburne and Hiroyuki Sanada, Cage concluded with a direct call to action. “Protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions,” he urged fellow performers.
Cage’s speech highlighted the ongoing debate in Hollywood about AI’s role in film production, emphasizing the need to protect artistic integrity in an increasingly technology-driven industry.