Ben Affleck used AI "for a lot of things"

Actor, screenwriter and director Ben Affleck revealed that he used artificial intelligence "for a lot of things" in his upcoming Netflix thriller "Animals," but he didn't want to reveal what things specifically.

“I used artificial intelligence for a lot of things in that movie. I’m a little hesitant to say what those things were, or even talk about it, because in my job we’re trying to maintain the illusion of reality, right?” he said.

“It’s a bit like when you go to a magic show and the magician comes on stage and says, ‘Before I start, I want you to know that there’s another rabbit down here. And this man is part of the show.’ You know, it kind of ruins the magic, doesn’t it? But yeah, we used it and, actually, I think it’s a good example of how artificial intelligence can be used ethically, because it’s a very human movie,” Affleck added.

Other actors in the film include Gillian Anderson, Stephen Yeun and Kerry Washington, and “Animals” will premiere on Netflix on October 9th.

At this point, Affleck and Netflix are very closely linked when it comes to artificial intelligence. Affleck sold his AI technology company, InterPositive, to Netflix for almost $600 million, so he is much more optimistic about the technology than the average Hollywood star. He is also much more knowledgeable in the field, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

However, the story of AI technology is spreading, and the panic is subsiding, according to Affleck.

“When a filmmaker spends enough time using AI tools and gains a sense of control over them, the technology stops being this vague, abstract, scary alien — you know, ‘They’re going to kill us all,’ all that propaganda — and people actually see what it is,” the actor said. Then, he added, people relax.

“It's just another form of computing... a technological advancement that's actually in line with a long line of technological improvements that we've made in the film and television industry,” he continued.

Affleck also said he doesn't believe artificial intelligence will ever allow a filmmaker to simply "type in a 'prompt' and make a movie that people want to watch."