Guillermo del Toro has made his stance on AI in filmmaking unmistakably clear, declaring that he would “rather die” than work with artificial intelligence.
The triple Oscar-winning director drew a parallel between the tech industry figures embracing AI and the “arrogance” of Frankenstein—the character from Mary Shelley’s classic novel, which del Toro is bringing to screens with his new Netflix adaptation.
Speaking to NPR, the Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water filmmaker, 61, criticized modern filmmaking, saying:
“Natural stupidity… is what drives most of the world’s worst features.”
He explained that his take on Frankenstein reflects that same hubris:
“I wanted it to be similar in some ways to the tech bros. He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences and I think we have to take a pause and consider where we're going.”
On his views of AI, particularly generative AI, Guillermo del Toro was unequivocal:
“AI, particularly generative AI – I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak… The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I’d rather die.’”
Del Toro’s Frankenstein, set to premiere on Netflix on November 7, adapts Shelley’s 1818 novel and stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Ineson.
Known for his gothic and fantastical storytelling, del Toro won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture with The Shape of Water in 2018. His 2023 fantasy film Pinocchio also earned the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
