They act like potatoes: AI actors don't scare French actor Marion Cotillard yet

French actor Marion Cotillard has shared her reservations about artificial intelligence taking on the role of actors, saying she would be “very afraid” if an AI-generated performance ever genuinely moved her. For now, however, she feels there is little reason to worry, as AI actors still appear to her to act like “potatoes”.

Cotillard was speaking at a press conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, where she is returning with 7h40 ce matin-la / Milo. Discussing the growing use of AI in filmmaking, the actor said she has yet to see an AI performance that can recreate the emotional depth of a human actor, as reported by Reuters.

“I think I’d be terrified the day an AI actor actually moved me. Right now, I find their acting wooden—terrible, really. And that’s reassuring," she said.

Cotillard explained that, for her, acting is closely tied to the lived experiences that an actor brings to a performance. She said those experiences are what give an emotion its depth and allow it to connect with an audience.

“Just a week ago, I saw a scene in a film... it’s about a beating heart and a soul that has lived a life—or several, if you believe in that—and it’s that lived experience that creates the quality of the emotion and determines how it touches people, how it reaches out through the screen, the pages of a book, or the music," said the Oscar-winner.

She added that the fact that AI has not yet managed to deeply move her is, in itself, reassuring.

“So, for the moment, that’s where things stand. I haven’t been deeply moved yet, and I think it’s a good thing that I haven’t," said the 50-year-old.Marion Cotillard on violence and creativity

During the press conference, Cotillard also spoke about the relationship between anger, frustration and creative expression. She suggested that violent reactions can emerge from other forms of violence, including difficult political or social circumstances.

“The logic behind this revolutionary violence we’re discussing also stems from a reaction to a different kind of violence—one that is perhaps less explicitly named or clearly defined. It’s the violence of a certain condition, the violence of a political situation; to me, the violent reaction makes tragic sense," she said

Cotillard acknowledged that people who directly experience ecological and other crises can find themselves overwhelmed by anger and frustration. The actor said she hoped such emotions could eventually be channelled into creative expression rather than violence.

“So... I hope we can evolve toward something creative. I don’t know—I’m thinking of Extinction.”

Marion Cotillard is attending the San Sebastian Film Festival for the world premiere of Nicole Garcia’s 7h40 ce matin-la / Milo, which is competing for the festival’s top honour.- Ends