Christopher Nolan, the director currently releasing The Odyssey, compares AI technology to a Trojan horse that many people reject, noting that this suspicion is beneficial for society.
Christopher Nolan, an Oscar-winning director whose latest film The Odyssey is now a box office hit, described artificial intelligence (AI) as a "Trojan horse that everyone already knows has Greek soldiers inside." He added that it is encouraging to see society, especially younger people, questioning this technology intensely.
Nolan made these remarks while responding to a question from Hugo Travers, a YouTuber running the channel HugoDécrypte, who brought up the Trojan horse from the ancient city of Troy—a key element in Nolan's film The Odyssey—as a metaphor. He suggested AI might be something people welcome into their daily lives before it turns into something darker, like the wooden horse that was a gift concealing the Greek army inside.
Nolan laughed before replying that AI is a Trojan horse that everyone knows hides Greek soldiers inside, later adding that it is a transparent horse made of glass.
The renowned director went on to say he has never seen any technology advance so rapidly only to be completely rejected by the public. He noted that the level of skepticism is very high, especially among younger generations. He gave the example of reactions to AI-generated videos online, where people of his children's generation immediately label such content as 'AI slop.'
From Nolan's perspective, this skepticism is healthy because technology often presents us with significant gifts but must be viewed with caution. He stressed the importance of questioning the motives of those offering the technology. He said that is the key to gaining the greatest benefit from new technology rather than blindly believing everything will turn out well.
Nolan did not specify which aspects of AI he views as threats, but the technology is an increasing concern in Hollywood and was a major topic during the 2023 writers' and actors' strike.
Meanwhile, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), of which Nolan is president, managed to negotiate some protections regarding generative AI in its latest contract.
Nolan is known for opposing various technologies, including smartphones, and his strong preference for shooting on film further emphasizes his resistance to certain technological trends.
The Odyssey is Nolan's first film shot entirely on film and with IMAX cameras.
Once, The New York Times asked Nolan if he considered himself afraid of technology. Nolan replied that he sees himself more as a skeptic of technology and said his love of film comes from how it captures what the eye sees better than any digital system he has ever seen.
Nolan also stated that he is always open to new technology but noted that such technologies are often sold to people at the cost of abandoning older systems that still work well, a phenomenon he has witnessed in the film industry, which nearly led to the disappearance of film stock.