{
  "id": 6742150,
  "title": "Why AI cannot replace actors — Filmmaker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/why-ai-cannot-replace-actors-filmmaker",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-11T10:34:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/why-ai-cannot-replace-actors-filmmaker/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigerian filmmaker Akay Mason has asserted that artificial intelligence-generated films cannot replicate the emotional bond formed by human actors. In a recent post on X, Mason contended that AI-generated films inherently lack the emotional resonance audiences typically feel when watching genuine human performances. \"AI films will fail. Every AI short film I've seen lacks the emotional connection we instinctively feel when watching actual humans perform. It just feels empty,\" he stated.\n\nMason also pointed out the role of celebrity culture in the appeal of human actors. \"Another reason is our tendency toward idolatry and celebrity culture. We love to worship our stars. With AI films, there are no stars to worship. You know the character on screen is nothing but a series of codes,\" he explained.\n\nWhile acknowledging AI's utility in addressing certain technical aspects of filmmaking, such as VFX, lighting, or sound issues, Mason maintained that the technology cannot replicate the core essence of a human actor's performance. \"Sure, filmmakers now use AI as a tool to fix VFX, lighting, or sound issues, and that's perfectly okay. Heck, I even used ChatGPT to fix a few grammatical issues with this post,\" he admitted. However, he emphasized that despite AI's increasing presence in the industry, it cannot replace the authentic human experience that defines an actor's performance. \"But if we're being real, AI actors cannot replace a real actor's performance, which is, at its core, the expression of the human soul,\" Mason concluded.",
  "summary": "Nigerian filmmaker Akay Mason has argued that artificial intelligence-generated films cannot replace the emotional connection created by human actors. Mason, in a post shared on X on Friday, said AI-generated films lacked the emotional depth audiences instinctively associated with human performances. “AI films will fail. Every AI short film I’ve seen lacks the emotional connection Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "AI-generated films lack emotional connection of human actors.",
    "Celebrity culture fuels appeal of human actors, AI lacks stars.",
    "AI useful for technical aspects, but cannot replace human performance essence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Why AI cannot replace actors — Filmmaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/why-ai-cannot-replace-actors-filmmaker-6743914",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:49:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}