Steven Spielberg says he has never used artificial intelligence in any of his films

Legendary director Steven Spielberg spoke out against the use of artificial intelligence technology when used in creative endeavors in an interview at the SXSW conference in Austin on Friday. When asked how he saw AI being useful as part of the filmmaking process, Spielberg said, “I’ve never used AI in any of my films yet,” to which the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

The director/producer/screenwriter, who has become a household name for blockbusters like Jaws, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and many others, is not necessarily anti-technology. His films have envisioned worlds filled with technology, for good and evil, such as “Minority Report,” “Ready Player One,” and of course “AI Artificial Intelligence,” to name a few.

At SXSW 2026, Spielberg said he didn’t want to be too vocal about artificial intelligence, noting that he supports the technology “in many disciplines,” but in his writers’ rooms, even in television, “there’s not an empty chair with a laptop in front of it.” Meaning it doesn’t outsource creativity to the machine.

“I do not support artificial intelligence if it replaces the creative individual,” he said.

Of course, someone like Spielberg might not need AI help. AI startups are pitching themselves to independent filmmakers with limited resources. Elsewhere, big names in streaming are also looking to use AI. Amazon said this year it was testing AI tools in film and TV production, and Netflix earlier this month acquired Ben Affleck’s AI filmmaking company for $600 million.