AI-generated actors and scripts now ineligible for Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated its eligibility rules, making it explicit that AI-generated performances and writing cannot win an Oscar. Only acting “demonstrably performed by humans” and writing that is “human-authored” will be considered for nomination, the Academy said on Friday.

The update comes as generative AI increasingly enters film production and as the industry pushes for clearer boundaries on how such tools can be used in award-eligible work.

Under the revised rules, only performers “credited in the film's legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will qualify for acting categories. Screenplays must also demonstrate clear “human authorship” to remain eligible.

Notably, the Academy stopped short of banning AI from filmmaking altogether. The use of AI tools in production, the body wrote, "neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination" — meaning a director or editor can still use generative tools without disqualifying the film, as long as the core creative authorship belongs to a human.

"The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award," the Academy said in its updated guidelines.

The body also reserved the right to investigate suspect cases. "If questions arise regarding the aforementioned use of generative artificial intelligence, the Academy reserves the right to request more information about the nature of the use and human authorship."