Demi Moore at Cannes: Hollywood must 'find ways' to work with AI, not resist it
Synopsis
Demi Moore at Cannes rejected a confrontational stance toward AI, arguing the technology is inevitable and Hollywood must adapt. Yet she flagged that current protections are probably inadequate — and insisted that no algorithm can replicate the human soul at the heart of true art.
Key Takeaways
Demi Moore , at the Cannes Film Festival jury press conference, argued Hollywood should collaborate with AI rather than resist it.
When asked if current protections are sufficient, Moore said: "probably not." She emphasised that AI cannot replicate the human soul and spirit that underpins authentic art.
Moore serves on the 2024 Cannes competition jury alongside director Park Chan-wook , actors Ruth Negga and Stellan Skarsgård , and others.
Her pragmatic stance contrasts with peers calling for stricter bans on generative AI in creative workflows.
Demi Moore, attending the Cannes Film Festival jury press conference on Tuesday, has argued that Hollywood should embrace collaboration with artificial intelligence rather than resist it, while acknowledging gaps in current protective measures.
"AI is here. And so to fight it is to fight something that is a battle that we will lose. So to find ways in which we can work with it I think is a more valuable path to take," the actress said when asked about the technology's impact on the film industry.
On regulation and protection
When pressed on whether sufficient safeguards are in place, Moore expressed uncertainty. "To your question of, are we doing enough to protect ourselves? I don't know the answer to that. And so my inclination would be to say probably not," she stated, implying that regulatory frameworks may be lagging behind AI's rapid advancement in entertainment.
AI's limitations, according to Moore
The actress, who returns to Cannes this year with her body-horror film 'The Substance', acknowledged that AI possesses "beautiful aspects" for creative utilisation. However, she underscored a critical boundary: technology cannot replicate the human soul.
"The truth is there really isn't anything to fear because what it can never replace is what true art comes from, which is not the physical, it comes from the soul. It comes from the spirit of each and every one of us sitting here, to each and every one of us who creates every day. And that they can never recreate through something that is technical," Moore elaborated.
Broader context of AI in Hollywood
Moore's comments arrive amid heightened industry scrutiny of AI's role in scriptwriting, visual effects, and talent management. Her stance — pragmatic rather than alarmist — contrasts with some peers who have called for stricter bans on generative AI in creative workflows. This comes as studios navigate licensing agreements with AI firms and negotiate with guilds over synthetic media usage.
2024 Cannes jury composition
Moore serves on this year's competition jury alongside president and director Park Chan-wook, actors Ruth Negga and Isaach de Bankole, directors Laura Wandel and Diego Cespedes, screenwriter Paul Laverty, director Chloé Zhao, and actor Stellan Skarsgård.
Point of View
Incentives ensure that), but on whose terms. Without binding rules on synthetic likenesses, fair compensation for training data, and algorithmic transparency, 'finding ways to work with it' defaults to letting studios set the terms unilaterally. Her acknowledgement that protections are 'probably not' sufficient is the candid bit; the rest is diplomatic cover for an industry that benefits from ambiguity.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Demi Moore say about AI and Hollywood at Cannes?
Moore argued that Hollywood should 'find ways to work with' AI rather than resist it, saying 'to fight it is a battle that we will lose.' She emphasised that AI cannot replace the human soul and spirit that define authentic art.
Did Moore say current AI protections are adequate?
No. When asked if Hollywood is doing enough to protect itself from AI risks, Moore replied: 'I don't know the answer to that. And so my inclination would be to say probably not.'
What is Demi Moore's role at Cannes 2024?
Moore serves on the 2024 Cannes Film Festival competition jury alongside director Park Chan-wook and actors Ruth Negga, Isaach de Bankole, and Stellan Skarsgård, among others. She is also presenting her film 'The Substance' in competition.
Has Hollywood been divided on AI adoption?
Yes. While some industry figures, including Moore, advocate for pragmatic collaboration, others have called for stricter bans on generative AI in creative workflows. Studios are actively negotiating AI licensing deals and guild agreements on synthetic media usage.
