Tom Cruise Weighs AI’s Inevitability With Human-Made Art: ‘People Want to See Real Things’

Tom Cruise's name has become closely connected with film culture, with the action star often called the "ambassador of movies" or the "president of Hollywood." As artificial intelligence poses a big change to the movie industry, it's time for the ambassador to share his thoughts.

Cruise talked about AI in filmmaking at a BAFTA "Life in Pictures" event in London on Monday.

The actor reflected on his film career and the upcoming Oscar film "Digger." During the event, moderator Edith Bowman asked Cruise, who has been more active in interviews as he prepares for the awards season, for his opinion on AI in filmmaking.

He started by saying, "Here's the thing: There is nothing like human." 

The "Top Gun" and "Mission: Impossible" star gave a six-minute speech, receiving applause for emphasizing the importance of humanity in the arts.

Cruise did not ignore the reality of AI's growing role in filmmaking, noting that its use is "coming, and it's going to happen."

"But people want to see real things," he added.

Cruise has built his career by showing people real things — or at least, realistic fake things.

"Top Gun: Maverick," often cited as a film that helped "save cinema" after the pandemic started, was praised for its use of practical effects and real stunt work.The "Mission: Impossible" series turned into a series of increasing stunts, with each new film pushing Cruise into more extreme challenges.The last two "Mission: Impossible" movies also featured a rogue AI as the main villain.

"People want that experience.

They're going to movie theaters," Cruise said at the BAFTA event."I always believe in humanity."

Deadline first reported on Cruise's surprise speech.

"Digger" will be released in theaters on October 2.