Gaspar Noé has never been one to shy away from controversy. The Argentine filmmaker carved out a name for himself with provocative and boundary-pushing films like I Stand Alone (1998) and Irréversible (2002), which firmly placed him at the forefront of the New French Extremity movement during the 2000s. But the news that he has just joined the jury of an AI film festival may be his most controversial move.

The Runway AI Film Festival, entering its third edition this June, is described on its website as “a celebration of the art and artists embracing new and emerging AI tools for filmmaking.” However, the use of artificial intelligence in film has sparked fierce debate, with many prominent figures in the industry voicing their opposition. The rise of AI was even one of the central issues behind the writers’ strike in 2023, which brought film production across the United States to a standstill.

The controversy surrounding AI in cinema was further fuelled this year when two major Oscar contenders, The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, faced backlash after revealing they had used AI tools to manipulate accents and singing voices. The revelation nearly derailed both films’ awards campaigns and led to calls for stricter regulations with some suggesting that the disclosure of AI use should become mandatory for future Academy Award contenders. Although Noé has not indicated whether he plans to use AI in his own future projects, his reputation for pushing artistic boundaries means that few would be surprised if he embraced the technology.