Cate Blanchett expresses concern that AI could replace jobs and deepen inequality, stressing the need for careful use of AI to benefit society. She calls for thoughtful integration of technology to avoid negative impacts on humanity, with the recent Hollywood writers’ strike bringing AI into the spotlight as a real issue.
Australian actress Cate Blanchett has warned about artificial intelligence (AI). While promoting her new film Rumours, a comedy about world leaders stranded in a forest, Blanchett expressed her concerns in a BBC interview.
Blanchett warns AI could replace jobs and impact society
Blanchett described AI as a technology that can “totally replace anyone,” stressing its ability to replicate voices, likenesses, and performances.
As an actor, Blanchett’s remarks show fears that AI could take over jobs in filmmaking, customer service, and so on. But her main concern is its impact on society as a whole.
“I’m less worried about my job prospects than I am about its impact on average people,” Blanchett stated. She also mentioned the vulnerable class, including pensioners and individuals working multiple jobs to survive. AI could worsen inequalities that already exist, and leave these groups behind, she added.
Hollywood strike
The Hollywood writers’ strike made people talk more about AI, which turned it from a theory into a real issue. Blanchett pointed out that AI can now copy voices from just a few seconds of audio and replicate as it is
This strike brought attention to people’s problems with work rights and technology and made society think about how new tech could affect one’s jobs and creativity.
Blanchett sees both the creative and the risks of AI. She said that sometimes new technology, like robots and driverless (automatic) cars, seems more like pointless experiments.
These kinds of innovations might seem exciting to tech enthusiasts, but she questions whether these technologies are really helping ordinary people. She went on to ask if AI makes life better or just creates more problems and divides society.
The entertainment industry is already feeling the effects of AI, with AI-generated scripts and realistic avatars, the line between human and machine is very thin. Blanchett worries that this could take away the human touch in storytelling.
Her upcoming movie Rumours is a satirical take on world leaders facing ridiculous situations, but it also reflects real-world problems about AI. Blanchett called it “a light-hearted documentary” compared to the chaos happening in the world, showing how fiction can’t keep up with the chaos of real life.
In the movie, Blanchett plays a German chancellor at a G7 summit that goes wrong. Although the characters have political themes, she makes sure they aren’t based on real politicians. The film shows how people act when they lose power and they must face who they really are, which relates to the changes in AI.
Calls for careful AI integration
Blanchett’s concerns are not only about entertainment, but she is also urging policymakers to think about AI and its impact on society, especially how it could worsen inequality.
She asks, “What will this do to us as a species?” As AI continues to grow many jobs could be replaced by machines and there will be ethical issues. Blanchett believes society should carefully guide technological progress to ensure it benefits everyone, rather than letting it develop without our knowledge.
Blanchett argues that if machines start to imitate human creativity there will be no difference between both. So, if AI can bring new opportunities, it should be used carefully and responsibly.
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