--- title: "Sean Penn Says Replacing Writers with AI Would Be a “Human Obscenity”" description: "When asked how he feels about AI replacing screenwriters at Cannes on Friday, Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn didn't mince words." date: "2023-05-20" modified: "2023-05-20" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/sean-penn-writers-ai-human-obscenity" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" tags: - "ai" - "celebrities" - "chatgpt" - "the digest" --- # Sean Penn Says Replacing Writers with AI Would Be a “Human Obscenity” ![When asked how he feels about AI replacing screenwriters at Cannes on Friday, Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn didn't mince words.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Cannes You Believe It The Hollywood writers' strike, which has kicked up a [heated debate]() surrounding the use of AI in the industry, is still going strong. The stakes are high, with screenwriters fighting for assurances that they won't be replaced with generative AIs churning out uninspired scripts. Studios, however, have yet to cave to the Writers Guild of America's AI-related demands. But now, [as *Variety* reports](), several high-profile actors are throwing their weight behind the writers. "There are a lot of new concepts that are being tossed about, including the use of AI," Oscar-winning film star Sean Penn said during a press conference at the ongoing Cannes film festival. "And it just strikes me as human obscenity that there's been a pushback \[from the studios\] on that." "The industry has been upending the writers, actors, and directors for a very, very long time," he added. "My full support is with the writers guild." ## Holding the Line Penn isn't the only industry star to speak out against the use of generative AI in filmmaking. Actress and "Cocaine Bear" director Elizabeth Banks expressed her own concerns about AI at Cannes this week, [telling *Deadline*]() that "we have to hold the line as a community." "I include the producers and the studios in that community," Banks said, adding that she was "heartbroken" that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers — the body that represents the studios — failed to "agree that AI should not be used for creative purposes." Meanwhile, WGA members, who have been on strike since May 12, are warning of a future filled with soulless, AI-generated ideas that fall far short of what the human imagination can come up with. "We're out here fighting so that the Alexas and whatnot aren't writing our stories," TV writer Lanett Tachel recently [told *NPR*](). "We're not here to rewrite a machine." When Tachel attempted to generate a script using ChatGPT, it turned out terribly. "It didn't have nuance," she added. "It wouldn't understand how to handle race, certain jokes, things like that." While it's perhaps a good thing AI-generated scripts [still suck](), we wouldn't put it past any Hollywood CEO to try to capitalize on the tech. Either way, we're glad that folks like Penn and Banks are in solidarity with the writers. In fact, the Screen Actor's Guild [may officially join]() the WGA on the picket lines soon as well. **More on AI and movies:** [*Marvel Director Expects Fully AI-Generated Movies Within Two Years*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()