Hollywood’s AI debate took centre stage at the 79th Cannes Film Festival after actor Demi Moore said resisting artificial intelligence in cinema may be a “losing battle,” while acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro passionately defended the value of human-made art.
Speaking ahead of the Cannes opening ceremony, Demi Moore shared her thoughts on the growing impact of AI in filmmaking. The Hollywood star, who is serving as a jury member at Cannes 2026, said artificial intelligence is now deeply embedded in the industry and cannot simply be ignored.
“AI is here. And so to fight it is to fight something that is a battle that we will lose,” Moore said while addressing reporters in France. She added that the entertainment industry should focus on learning how to work with the technology responsibly instead of completely resisting it.
The actor also admitted that the film industry may not yet be doing enough to protect creative professionals from the risks linked to AI-generated content. Her comments quickly sparked conversations online, especially as debates around AI and creative ownership continue to intensify across Hollywood.
Moore, best known for films like Ghost and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, returned to Cannes this year after receiving widespread acclaim for her performance in The Substance, which premiered at the festival in 2024 and earned her first Oscar nomination.
While Moore called for adaptation, Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro delivered a far more emotional response to the AI discussion during the festival. The director attended Cannes for the screening of a restored 4K version of his iconic fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth.
Del Toro criticised the growing idea that technology can replace artistic expression. Speaking at the event, he said society is entering a period where people are being told that creativity and resistance no longer matter.
“We are in times that make this movie more relevant than ever because they tell us everything is useless to resist, that art can be done with a f***ing app,” del Toro said, drawing strong reactions from audiences and social media users alike.
The Cannes Film Festival has become one of the biggest global platforms for conversations around AI in cinema. Although the festival currently does not allow generative AI-created films in competition categories, discussions around the technology’s future role in filmmaking continue to dominate the event.
The 79th edition of Cannes officially began on May 12 and will continue for 12 days before the prestigious Palme d’Or winner is announced on May 23. This year’s jury is led by celebrated South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, known for films such as Oldboy.
As AI tools rapidly evolve, the divide within the entertainment industry is becoming increasingly visible. While some believe artificial intelligence can support filmmakers and improve production efficiency, others fear it could weaken originality, storytelling, and opportunities for artists.
Demi Moore’s “losing battle” remark and Guillermo del Toro’s fiery defence of human creativity have now become two of the most talked-about moments from Cannes 2026, highlighting how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of cinema.
