Young Director Kane Parsons Calls for a Halt to Generative AI in Hollywood

Twenty-year-old filmmaker Kane Parsons, whose A24-backed debut “Backrooms” set a record for a director his age, has publicly rejected generative AI in his creative process. He told The Australian that, if possible, he would “snap his fingers and make generative AI disappear forever.” Parsons says he gains no enjoyment from the tools, calling them a “defeat of purpose,” and warns of “genuinely harmful consequences” already occurring. He acknowledges that AI could ease repetitive VFX work but views the proliferation of AI-generated billboards and signage as evidence of cultural and economic decay rather than innovation.

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Veteran director Martin Scorsese, identified as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers, recently joined AI firm Black Forest Labs as an adviser. In a statement on the company’s website, he argued that cinema, at roughly 125 years old, must stay open to evolution. Citing his use of 3-D and de-aging technology on “Hugo” and “The Irishman,” Scorsese said the new AI tool lets him “share what I’m visualizing more clearly and efficiently to my creative team … to enrich cinematic intelligence.”

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Parsons’ critique raises concerns that generative AI could erode artistic intent and increase economic pressure on creators. Scorsese’s endorsement suggests AI may streamline collaboration and expand visual storytelling. Together the statements illustrate an industry crossroads: whether AI becomes a standard production aid or a contested force reshaping creative labor.

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Parsons summarized his position by stating that generative AI offers no personal creative satisfaction and poses immediate harmful effects, while conceding limited usefulness for repetitive VFX tasks. Scorsese framed AI as a tool that clarifies a director’s vision and enables richer audience experiences, positioning it as an evolutionary step for cinema.

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Parsons’ remarks directly criticize AI’s cultural penetration, labeling the prevalence of low-quality AI-generated imagery as evidence of “cultural and economic rot.” He warns that unchecked adoption could erode the purpose of artistic creation.

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• “If I could snap my fingers and make generative AI disappear forever, I probably would.” — Kane Parsons, Director of “Backrooms.”

Deadline Hollywood

• “Creatively, I get no enjoyment from using those tools. It defeats the purpose entirely for me.” — Kane Parsons

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• “Cinema is a young medium, only around 125 years old, so we have to be open to how it can evolve,” — Martin Scorsese, Director

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Parsons plans to examine AI iconography in future projects without using the technology to create the art. Scorsese’s advisory role at Black Forest Labs points to ongoing development of AI-driven workflows for major productions.

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