Clooney tells Venice festival that AI threatens film and journalism

George Clooney, the renowned actor and political activist, delivered a warning at the Venice Film Festival about the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence to both film and journalism. In an interview with reporters, Clooney highlighted the issue of deepfake technology and AI-generated content, stating that it is becoming increasingly challenging to discern the truth from fiction.

He expressed concern that as these technologies advance, people may start doubting genuine evidence, as the credibility of information is compromised.

Clooney pointed out that the technology's rapid development is outpacing the current safeguards in place, and he spoke to leading AI developers recently but found little success in addressing the issue. He jokingly mentioned his aversion to appearing in a tampon commercial 20 years after his death, emphasizing his wish to avoid such misuse of his likeness.

The actor also addressed the broader implications of AI on journalism, noting that media ownership has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, a concern he shared. He reminded the audience that the state of journalism is constantly evolving and facing challenges, but he remains hopeful that information will ultimately prevail.

Clooney's visit to the festival, where he received the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, allowed him to reflect on his long-standing career in the industry.