Star Wars creator George Lucas says, 'There's nothing you can do about it' when it comes to AI

In a recent interview with A Rabbit's Foot (via Kotaku), the legendary filmmaker and Star Wars creator opened up about AI, specifically as a tool for filmmakers in a wide-ranging conversation that touched upon several key milestones and moments of his career. Now, for those expecting the creator of Star Wars to be against the rise of AI in all things creative, prepare to be disappointed.

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"Artificial intelligence means it's much easier for us to make movies," George Lucas says. "It's very much like sitting here saying, 'Well, I believe the horse and the buggy is really where it's at. These cars, they break down, they need gas, there's all kinds of problems with them and pretty soon they'll be making them into tanks, and then they'll be killing people. It's terrible.' There's nothing you can do about it. That's progress, it's the future."

Now, for those familiar with George Lucas's career, specifically the creation of the original Star Wars trilogy and the subsequent prequel trilogy a couple of decades later, it's a response that tracks.

Throughout his career, George Lucas has not only leveraged the latest technology to advance the medium of filmmaking but also pioneered several cinematic technologies and staples of modern movies. From motion-controlled cameras to surround sound to digital effects, and revolutionizing editing, the list is long.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question #1

What did George Lucas say about AI’s impact on filmmaking in his A Rabbit’s Foot interview?

George Lucas said that artificial intelligence "means it's much easier for us to make movies" and compared resistance to AI to clinging to horse and buggy as cars arrive. He said "there's nothing you can do about it," calling it progress and the future.

Question #2

How did Lucas compare AI to past technological shifts in film production?

Lucas likened AI to past technological shifts by comparing it to the transition from horse and buggy to cars, noting critics feared cars would break down, need gas, and even be turned into tanks but that change was inevitable. He framed AI as similar progress and the future, and pointed to his own history of embracing new film technologies such as motion-controlled cameras, surround sound, digital effects, and shooting Attack of the Clones entirely on digital cameras.

Question #3

What example from Lucas’s own films demonstrates his early adoption of new production tech?

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is cited as the example, as it was the first major blockbuster to be entirely shot on digital cameras in 2002, using 1080p cameras.

Question #4

Does the article indicate Lucas believes AI use in films can be prevented or regulated?

The article indicates Lucas believes AI use in films cannot be prevented, quoting him saying, "There’s nothing you can do about it" and calling it "progress" and "the future." The article does not say he thinks AI use can be regulated.

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Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was the first major blockbuster to be entirely shot on digital cameras back in 2002, albeit 1080p ones, so it makes sense that Lucas wouldn't be averse to leveraging AI tools for filmmaking.