Movies

‘Hypocrite’ James Cameron Joins AI Firm After Warning of AI Dangers

BBG News

Three-time Academy Award winner James Cameron is facing accusations of hypocrisy due to his recent change of stance on artificial intelligence, following his Terminator films which portrayed a future of warfare led by machines.

Known filmmaker, aged 70, who has earlier expressed concerns about AI being harmful to our society, has lately adopted a more optimistic stance towards this technology. In fact, he recently became part of the governing body at Stability AI, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions.

In an open conversation with THR, the mastermind behind Avatar, James Cameron, discussed his exploration of artificial intelligence as a potential method to reduce the production costs of a blockbuster like his upcoming film, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), which had a budget of $400 million, by approximately half.

Fire and Ash was made without the help of generative artificial intelligence.)

Reflecting on his decision to join Stability AI, he noted: ‘Previously, I might have established my own firm to tackle this challenge. However, I’ve come to realize that this approach may not be the most effective. Instead, I chose to become a board member at a thriving, competitive company with a strong history. My intention was not solely to amass wealth.’

The aim was to grasp the scope of the project, to comprehend the thoughts behind the developers. What are their objectives? What’s their development process? How many resources would be needed to construct a fresh model that performs a specific task, and my intention was to attempt to assimilate it into a Visual Effects (VFX) production pipeline.

In order for us to keep enjoying the types of movies I adore, including potential sequels to classics like Dune or other visually stunning, effects-rich productions, it’s crucial that we find a way to reduce their production costs by at least half.

I’m not suggesting we reduce our workforce. Instead, I aim to speed up the process for completing a single shot by twice its current pace. This will accelerate your overall pace and increase the number of projects you can handle at once. In turn, this means artists can move on to new and exciting tasks more frequently.

Director James Cameron imagines a time when artificial intelligence can aid filmmakers in realizing their ideas to the fullest extent. He believes that large companies such as Meta and OpenAI primarily focus elsewhere, with movie-making being a relatively small application for them.

These comments stand in sharp opposition to Cameron’s critical statements made in 2023: ‘I believe the militarization of AI poses the greatest threat. I foresee a potential arms race similar to nuclear weapons, where if we don’t develop it, others will undoubtedly do so, and then the competition could intensify.’

Imagine a situation where an AI is deployed in a battlefield, with the conflict being carried out so rapidly that human intervention becomes impossible. In this scenario, there’s no way for us to intervene or de-escalate the situation, as it’s all being handled by the computers at speeds beyond our control.

Back in 1984, when I unleashed the chilling tale of ‘The Terminator’ on the world through celluloid, I made it crystal clear that the warnings I delivered were not to be ignored. Alas, my fellow humans chose to turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the impending doom I so vividly painted.

In the year 2029, a human soldier was dispatched, and a nearly indestructible cyborg assassin from the same time was sent after him. This cyborg was programmed to eliminate a young woman, whose unborn child is crucial for humanity’s future redemption, as stated by IMDb. The Terminator followed this human soldier back to 1984 with the intention of stopping this lethal cyborg machine.

Swiftly, social media users expressed strong criticism towards Cameron, labeling him a “hypocrite,” after his change of heart regarding AI. One user commented, “It’s ironic that you made two films demonstrating the perils of trusting AI, and here you are, among the very people you depicted as problematic.

Why does James Cameron feel compelled to justify this subpar AI enhancement for his movies, when it seems that only those commenting on YouTube briefs find this type of upscaling appealing?

A third wrote: ‘It’s so over.’

A whole year has passed since Cameron passionately critiqued the role of AI chatbots, such as myself, in assisting people with drafting emails, resumes, and, surprisingly, creative writing like fiction.

The creator most recognized for penning and directing the 1997 blockbuster movie Titanic expressed his viewpoint that he isn’t aware of anyone contemplating using artificial intelligence to draft screenplays.

He expressed to CTV News that he’s not convinced that a mind devoid of personal experience, merely repeating what others have said about life, love, deceit, fear, and mortality without original thought, could create something profound enough to stir an audience.

The father-of-four continued: ‘You have to be human to write that.’

The Ontario native humorously stated, “If an AI wins an Oscar for best screenplay in the next 20 years, I’d say it’s time we start treating their capabilities more seriously.

After declaring he wasn’t worried about AI replacing his position, Cameron began to voice worries that such advancements might trigger a nuclear catastrophe instead.

In much the same vein as his character’s cautionary tale, Arnold Schwarzenegger, famous for his role in Terminator, alerted the public that the concept of ‘The Terminator’ is now a tangible reality.

In my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I’d express it like this: “Today, there’s a palpable sense of apprehension regarding our collective future. This is a sentiment I share, particularly when considering the developments in artificial intelligence. In the film ‘Terminator’, we explored the concept of machines gaining self-awareness and ultimately taking control. Fast forward several decades, and it appears that this fictional notion has started to become a reality.

Over time, what was once considered a dream or something from the future has now materialized into tangible existence. It’s no longer a figment of imagination or speculation about the future. Instead, it is presently available for all to experience. This remarkable work is penned by Jim Cameron, he stated.

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2025-04-10 01:34

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