Overview
- Tom Holland made the comments on Spain’s El Hormiguero on Wednesday, saying AI "doesn't have a soul" and arguing that machines can process data but cannot feel or convey human emotions.
- His remarks join a split set of industry reactions that range from Guillermo del Toro's warning about growing "image" and "cinema illiteracy" to directors like Martin Scorsese who are experimenting with AI for tasks such as storyboarding.
- The comments come at a moment of policy action: SAG-AFTRA has publicly endorsed the administration's AI policy framework and President Trump signed an executive order that asks companies to allow a voluntary 30-day government review of new models before release.
- Holland's statement also arrives during a heavy promotional season for him, with major releases scheduled this summer, which highlights how celebrity publicity cycles are shaping public attention on the AI debate.
- The dispute builds on longer labour and creative concerns that surfaced during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and could shape upcoming rules on intellectual property, workforce protections, and how studios use generative tools.