What's Inside?
- Guillermo del Toro declares he’ll never use generative AI, emphasizing that real art comes from human imagination, emotion, and imperfection.
- The Oscar-winning director compares tech innovators to Victor Frankenstein, warning about blind ambition and ignoring consequences of unchecked technology.
- Amid rising AI use in Hollywood, del Toro’s firm stance defends creative integrity, urging filmmakers to value soul over convenience.
Guillermo del Toro has never been one to follow trends. As he celebrates the release of Frankenstein—his long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s timeless tale—the acclaimed filmmaker has made his feelings about generative AI crystal clear. During his press tour, del Toro shared his unfiltered thoughts, drawing a powerful connection between modern technology and the moral lessons embedded in Shelley’s story.
Guillermo del Toro’s Fierce Stance on Generative AI
The Oscar-winning director is not mincing words about his rejection of artificial intelligence. “AI, particularly generative AI — I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak…” Guillermo del Toro told NPR. He went on to add, “The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I’d rather die.’”
His words echo the same cautionary tone that defines Frankenstein, a story about man’s reckless pursuit of creation without understanding its consequences. Del Toro compared Victor Frankenstein’s arrogance to the mindset of today’s “tech bros,” saying, “My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity. I think that’s what drives most of the world’s worst features. But I did want it to have the arrogance of Victor [Frankenstein] be similar in some ways to the tech bros. He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences and I think we have to take a pause and consider where we’re going.”
That statement captures del Toro’s deep unease about technology’s growing presence in art. For him, the issue isn’t innovation—it’s the loss of humanity that can come with it.
Creativity, Soul, and the Limits of Machines
It’s hardly surprising that del Toro would reject AI. His work—Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Hellboy II, Pinocchio—all bear the hallmarks of an artist who thrives on tactile creation. Each of his films feels handcrafted, full of texture, emotion, and imperfection. Those qualities, del Toro believes, are what make art human.
In an era when AI tools are creeping into every creative industry, del Toro stands as a rare voice of defiance. His resistance feels almost poetic. While filmmakers like Paul Schrader and George Miller have embraced AI’s potential, del Toro warns against blind enthusiasm. His perspective mirrors the moral core of Shelley’s novel: progress without reflection can lead to catastrophe.
AI has already become a divisive topic in Hollywood. It dominated the conversations around the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, with creators demanding stronger safeguards against the misuse of generative tools. Some producers, like Shark Tank host Kevin O’Leary, even suggested that studios could save money by replacing extras with AI. For artists like del Toro, such comments underscore exactly what’s at stake—the erosion of the human element in storytelling.
Ironically, del Toro’s Frankenstein—with its lush visual design and advanced CGI—might appear to embrace the very technologies he rejects. But his use of digital tools comes from a place of artistry, not automation. Every frame still bears the mark of human touch. His opposition to generative AI isn’t about avoiding technology; it’s about preserving integrity.
Del Toro’s steadfast rejection of AI isn’t nostalgia—it’s conviction. His films are living proof that imagination, empathy, and craft can’t be replicated by algorithms. “We have to take a pause and consider where we’re going,” he says, a plea that feels especially urgent today.
As Hollywood races toward an AI-powered future, Guillermo del Toro’s voice serves as both a warning and a reminder. Art is not just about creating something new—it’s about feeling something real. And that, for del Toro, will always be the one thing no machine can imitate.
