• Academy announces AI actors and writers ineligible for Oscars.
• New rules mandate that all performances and screenplays must be human-authored.
• Changes follow heightened concerns within the entertainment industry about AI technology.
• New nomination rules for best international feature awards are also implemented.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that actors created with artificial intelligence will not be eligible for Oscars, stating that only real, live human performances can win the prestigious awards. According to the new rules, both acting and screenwriting must be carried out by humans, ensuring that "only roles credited in the film's legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans" will be considered for nomination, as well as screenplays that must be "human-authored" to qualify, according to Le Monde.

This ruling comes shortly after an AI representation of the late actor Val Kilmer was showcased, highlighting the rapid advancements in technology. The unveiling involved Kilmer's likeness appearing in a film trailer posthumously, raising concerns among actors and writers who feel their livelihoods are threatened by AI. Last year's Hollywood strikes were significantly centered around this issue, emphasizing the industry's sensitivity toward AI's role, as noted by both BBC and Bangkok Post.

In addition to clarifying eligibility for acting and writing, the Academy has revised its rules for best international feature nominations. Previously requiring a film to be selected by a national grouping, new guidelines now allow a non-English language film to be submitted if it wins a qualifying award at major international film festivals like Cannes or Venice. This change aims to provide more opportunities for critically recognized films from authoritarian regions, as highlighted in Le Monde and Bangkok Post.

The Academy described the requirement changes as "substantive," emphasizing their commitment to human creativity in film. While they have not banned the use of AI in filmmaking entirely, they clarified that AI tools used outside the realms of acting and writing would not impact a film's nomination chances. This distinction reflects a nuanced approach to technology's role in filmmaking, underscoring the balance between innovation and traditional creative processes, according to BBC and Le Monde.