By Colette Lyne Tonye Bilong 

Publié le 16 juin 2026

Imagine watching a movie where the main actor doesn’t exist, where a voice is cloned in seconds, or where an entire trailer is generated by artificial intelligence. This isn’t the future anymore, this is happening right now. AI is becoming a big part of filmmaking, from dubbing to screenwriting to visual effects. But even if the technology is impressive, one question keeps coming back: can AI really replace human creativity in cinema? Based on what the media and experts say, I don’t think so.  

AI is changing the industry fast, but it still can’t replace the emotion and artistic vision that come from real people. 

A recent article from Le Journal de Montreal, accessed through Eureka, explains that AI is already threatening several important jobs in the film industry, especially dubbing and screenwriting. Voice-cloning tools can imitate actors perfectly, and some programs can even write scripts. But experts interviewed in the article warn that this technology could erase originality, since AI only copies patterns from existing works. This idea also appears in a RadioCanada report, where researchers say that AI can speed up production but cannot create meaning on its own. It can help with technical tasks, but it doesn’t understand storytelling the way humans do. A similar point is made in an article from Jon Peddie Research, which argues that AI is becoming a creative tool but still raises major questions about authorship, originality, and the future of human artistic work. Together, these sources show that while AI is powerful, it still depends heavily on human creativity. 

To better understand how AI views its own role in filmmaking, I conducted an interview with ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI. When I asked it about the biggest risk of using AI in cinema, it explained that “the real risk is creative flattening. AI learns from existing patterns, so when it is overused, films can become more predictable and less original” (ChatGPT interview, April 26, 2026). This idea matches what many professionals say in the news. RFI reports that AI‑generated actors and scenes often lack emotional depth, while France 24 highlights that filmmakers at Cannes are worried about losing artistic identity. ChatGPT also added that “overusing AI could push the industry toward safe, optimized content rather than bold or meaningful storytelling,” which reinforces the idea that AI can support creators, but it cannot replace the human imagination behind great cinema. 

Personally, I think AI can be helpful, especially for young creators who don’t have big budgets. It makes filmmaking more accessible and can save a lot of time. But I also think we need to be careful. If we rely too much on AI, we risk losing the human touch that makes movies powerful. Cinema is based on emotion, experience, and personal vision. A machine can copy these things, but it can’t live them. That’s why AI should support artists, not replace them. 

In conclusion, AI is transforming cinematography, but it won’t replace human creativity. The film industry needs to find a balance with the use of AI for what it does well and the artistic roles that make cinema meaningful. As several of my sources point out, we need clear rules and ethical guidelines to make sure AI stays in its place. In the end, what makes a movie truly memorable isn’t the technology behind it, it’s the emotion that only humans can create.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Radio‑Canada “Québec 2050 : l’intelligence artificielle dans le cinéma de demain” (2025) 

Summary: The article explains how generative AI can already create actors who don’t exist, clone voices, and produce fast visual effects. However, it also highlights that the technology is still unpredictable and cannot yet replace a full human‑led film production. 

RFI “Cinéma: et si demain, l’IA jouait les premiers rôles?” (2025) 

Summary: This piece explores the fears of screenwriters, dubbing artists, and actors regarding AI. It focuses on voice reproduction, automated lip‑sync, and other tools that could threaten entire professions in the film industry. 

France 24 “Cannes 2025 : l’IA dans le cinéma, "une vague impossible à arrêter" malgré les réticences” (2025) 

Summary: At the Cannes Film Festival, filmmakers express both excitement and concern about AI. The article shows how AI is now present in writing, editing, and special effects, while professionals demand strict legal regulations to protect artistic integrity. 

Big Média “L’IA, nouvelle star de l’industrie du cinéma ?” (2025) 

Summary: According to this article, more than 70% of film professionals already use AI, mainly to automate technical tasks, reduce production costs, and boost creativity. Despite this enthusiasm, many insist that AI must remain a tool, not a replacement for artists. 

“Le Journal de Montréal, DES MÉTIERS DE L'OMBRE MENACÉS AU CINÉMA ET À LA TÉLÉVISION. INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE : UNE NOUVELLE TECHNOLOGIE QUI INQUIÈTE LE MILIEU CULTUREL” (2024) 

The article explains that AI is threatening several behind-the-scenes jobs in the film and TV industry, especially dubbing and screenwriting. Voice cloning tools can already imitate actors very realistically, which puts many workers at risk. Screenwriters are also concerned that AI-generated drafts could replace part of their creative work and create copyright issues. The article also mentions the misuse of actors’ images, like a viral fake James Bond trailer made without their consent. In my opinion, what the article says is not wrong because AI is clearly advancing very fast and could easily be misused if there are no limits. Overall, it shows that stronger legal protections are needed to protect artists and maintain originality. 

Jon Peddie Research “AI in the Creative Role” (2025) 

This article argues that AI is becoming a major tool in creative industries, including filmmaking. It explains that AI can generate images, assist with editing, and speed up creative workflows, but it also raises concerns about originality, authorship, and the future of human creativity. The author suggests that AI will transform creative work but cannot replace the artistic decisions made by humans.