Bong Joon Ho Discusses AI Concerns While Jenna Ortega Shares Thoughts on Its Impact at Marrakech Event
Marrakech Film Festival: A Critical Dialogue on AI Technology
At the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday, acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho shared his stark views on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) during a jury press conference, sparking significant conversation among industry peers. As the president of the jury, Bong’s remarks addressed both the positive and negative facets of AI.
"My official answer is, AI is good because it’s the very beginning of the human race finally seriously thinking about what only humans can do. But my personal answer is, I’m going to organize a military squad, and their mission is to destroy AI," he stated, blending humor with a serious underlying concern.
Joining Bong on stage were fellow jury members, including Celine Song, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, Karim Aïnouz, Hakim Belabbes, Julia Ducournau, and Payman Maadi.
Celine Song expanded on the topic, echoing sentiments expressed earlier by Guillermo del Toro. "To quote Guillermo del Toro, who will be here at this festival, ‘Fuck AI’… I’m very concerned about it," she asserted. Song emphasized the importance of preserving the human experience in art, noting, "The number one thing that we’re here to defend as artists is humanity."
Referencing the television series Severance, which explores the impact of technology on human memory and experience, Song added, "Severance is one of the best documents about the way that AI is completely taking over what is beautifully difficult about human life." She underscored her belief that creative work should be a synthesis of skill, creativity, and lived experiences.
Addressing the emotional depth that human collaboration brings to cinematography, she remarked, "The images that I make with my cinematographer is what I get by having his entire life’s work and his entire existence as a human being."
Jenna Ortega, the festival’s youngest jury member, resonated with Song’s views, expressing her concern about the implications of AI. "I know I am in times like this of deep uncertainty. And it kind of feels like we’ve opened up a Pandora’s Box," she said. She expressed hope that audiences would eventually reject AI-generated content in favor of authentic human creations.
Moroccan director Hakim Belabbes described the growing influence of AI in creative fields as a type of colonialism. "The models they use in AI don’t belong to me. They’re not mine. I have to create my own worlds… otherwise it’s just a new form of colonialism," he stated, voicing a critical perspective on AI’s impact on cultural heritage.
Celine Song further elaborated on Belabbes’ point, suggesting that some in the AI community view filmmakers as exploitable resources, shaped to fit market demands driven by capitalism and colonial practices.
In contrast, French director Julia Ducournau highlighted a more balanced perspective on AI, advocating its use as a tool while cautioning against its potential to replace human creativity. "In Alpha, my latest film, we used it for CGI and it really did help us a lot… I cannot have an artistic dialogue with AI," she remarked, emphasizing the need for human interaction in the creative process.
As the discussion on AI continues to unfold, the sentiments expressed at the Marrakech Film Festival reflect a broader apprehension about its role in the arts—balancing innovation with the preservation of the human touch that defines creativity.
