Christopher Nolan calls AI ‘transparent Trojan horse’
'The Odyssey' director says public skepticism of AI, especially among youth, is healthy
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan described artificial intelligence as a "transparent Trojan horse," saying widespread public skepticism toward the technology is both obvious and healthy.
Speaking to YouTuber Hugo Travers (HugoDécrypte), Nolan responded to a question comparing AI to the legendary Trojan horse featured in his latest film, The Odyssey. Laughing, the filmmaker said, "I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside." He added that AI is "a transparent horse, it's made of glass."
Nolan said he had never seen a technology advance so quickly while facing such widespread public distrust, particularly among younger people. He pointed to the popularity of the term "AI slop" as an example of how young audiences are quick to dismiss low-quality AI-generated content.
Nolan urges caution over AI and tech companies
The filmmaker argued that skepticism is essential when adopting new technologies, saying innovation can bring significant benefits but should never be accepted blindly.
"Technology is always going to give us great gifts," Nolan said, adding that the motives of those developing and promoting new technologies should also be questioned to ensure the public gets the best out of them.
Although Nolan did not specify the risks he associates with AI, the technology has remained a contentious issue in Hollywood since the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes. The Directors Guild of America, where Nolan serves as president, also secured protections related to generative AI in its latest contract.
Known for his preference for traditional filmmaking techniques, Nolan recently described himself as a "techno-skeptic" rather than a technophobe. He has long championed film over digital formats, with The Odyssey becoming the first feature shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.
