The Father of Terminator: "Even if AI Can Replace Me, It Can't Do This"

"Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Performance in 'Terminator' Cannot Be Matched"

Hollywood maestro director James Cameron predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will one day be able to replace him.

In an interview with the UK Financial Times (FT) on the 26th (local time), Cameron questioned, "We have been engaged in artistic activities since we developed self-awareness, so why couldn't AGI write scripts and produce films?" AGI refers to AI with human-level capabilities.

The main character Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie 'Terminator'
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This interview came amid ongoing conflicts over the use of AI in Hollywood. The Hollywood Writers Guild has protested, including strikes, demanding guarantees that AI will not take away writers' jobs. On the other hand, film production companies are actively embracing AI to save time and costs in the production process.

In the interview, Cameron said, "AI allows for shooting more scenes in a shorter time by performing simple repetitive tasks during film production," but added, "However, AI cannot replace actors." For example, AI cannot perform like actor Arnold Schwarzenegger did in 'The Terminator.'

Director James Cameron
Photo by EPA / Yonhap News

Cameron stated, "Machines may be able to deliver plausible acting, but they will never catch up to the moments of ingenious creativity that come from human actors' performances."

He also added, "While generative AI can provide an overall image, it cannot convey emotions."

Meanwhile, the 'Terminator' series, which Cameron began in 1984, is a sci-fi film centered on the rebellion of artificial intelligence (AI). The villainous supercomputer 'Skynet' featured in the original 'Terminator' was depicted as an entity with the will to dominate humans. Cameron showcased various forms of robots up to the sixth installment, 'Terminator: Dark Fate,' released in 2019.