Ari Aster, the acclaimed writer and director known for his bone-chilling horror films, is now sharing one of his profound fears concerning the future of Hollywood and technology. Aster recently confessed to having “a lot of fear” regarding the escalating use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the industry. He is particularly unnerved by how some individuals are treating this evolving technology “as a god,” coupled with the stark realization that humanity seems to have “no say” in how AI is ultimately implemented as it continues its rapid and relentless development.
The Inevitable Race of Technological Innovation
Aster views the current trajectory of AI as an inevitable race, stating to Letterboxd, “It’s obviously already too late. We’re in a race now.” He draws a parallel to the historical pattern of technological innovation: if something can be done, it will be done. This perspective leads him to ponder larger philosophical questions, referencing Marshall McLuhan’s observation, “Man is the sex organ of the machine world.” Aster questions whether this technology is merely an extension of human capabilities, or if humanity is, in fact, serving as the conduit to bring this powerful new entity into being.
AI as a Deity: The Disciples’ View
A particularly unsettling observation for Aster is the way some engineers and proponents of AI discuss the technology. He notes, “If you talk to these engineers and the people ushering this AI in, they don’t talk about AI as this great new medium; they don’t even talk about it as technology. They talk about it as a god. They talk like disciples. They’re very worshipful of this thing.” This perception of AI as a divine entity, rather than a mere tool, deeply frightens Aster, suggesting a blurring of lines between lived reality and an “imaginal reality” that is rapidly disappearing as humanity merges with the technology.
Regulatory Landscape and “Clean AI” Efforts
The discussion around AI’s future is actively shaping policy, as evidenced by the recent decision in the Senate to strike a provision from Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would have barred states from regulating AI for the next decade. This legislative move indicates a growing recognition of the need for oversight. Concurrently, some within Hollywood are embracing AI technology, but with a conscious effort to establish standards for “clean AI” use. Companies like Asteria and Flawless AI are attempting to set an ethical path forward, seeking to harness AI’s power responsibly within the industry.
The Uncanny Reality of AI-Generated Content
Aster finds the capabilities of AI to be “the most uncanny thing,” paradoxically noting that “it’s less uncanny than I want it to be.” He describes seeing AI-generated videos that appear strikingly lifelike and real. This observation leads him to reflect on humanity’s capacity for adaptation, where even the strangest and most disruptive developments become normalized over time. However, he remains deeply concerned by the monumental shift occurring, emphasizing that “something huge is happening right now, and we have no say in it. So, here we go. I can’t believe we’re actually going to live through this and see what happens. Holy cow.”
Broader Concerns: Bias and Control
Beyond the direct visual impact, AI’s rapid advancement raises broader concerns that extend to issues of bias, control, and unintended consequences. If AI is indeed being treated with a reverence akin to a deity, as Aster suggests, it implies a relinquishing of human agency over its development and deployment. The lack of public “say” in how this powerful technology is implemented could lead to systems that perpetuate existing societal biases or create new ethical dilemmas, particularly if its creators view it with an almost religious fervor rather than as a tool to be carefully governed and directed.
A Call for Vigilance in the AI Era
Ari Aster’s candid remarks serve as a powerful call for vigilance and critical reflection as AI continues its rapid ascent. His fears highlight the urgent need for a balanced approach that embraces technological progress while simultaneously establishing robust ethical frameworks, regulatory oversight, and public discourse to ensure that AI serves humanity’s best interests rather than becoming an uncontrollable force. The future of AI, as he suggests, is not just a technological challenge but a profound philosophical and societal one, demanding careful consideration from all stakeholders.
