TechCrunch5/2/2026Culture1 min readUnited States

Academy Updates Oscar Rules to Require Human-Performed Work, Human-Authored Screenplays

New eligibility requirements grant Academy right to request information about AI usage in films

academy awards oscars artificial intelligence

Quick Look

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released new Oscar rules requiring that performances be "credited in the film's legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" and screenplays be "human-authored" to be eligible.
The Academy retains the right to request more information about AI usage.
The rules come amid rising AI use in filmmaking, including an upcoming film with an AI-generated Val Kilmer and AI actress Tilly Norwood.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Academy's new AI rules come amid ongoing debates about AI's role in creative industries. AI was a major issue in the 2023 actors' and writers' strikes, and the technology continues to advance with new video models causing filmmaker concern.

Font size

The organization behind the Academy Awards released new Oscar rules on Friday, including several that address the use of generative artificial intelligence. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that only performances "credited in the film's legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" will be eligible for Academy Awards. Similarly, the academy said that screenplays must be "human-authored" to be eligible. The academy also said it has the right to request more information about a film's AI usage and "human authorship." These rule changes come as an independent film is in the works with an AI-generated version of Val Kilmer, as AI "actress" Tilly Norwood keeps making headlines, and as new video models are causing at least a few filmmakers to make sweeping declarations of despair. AI was also one of the main sticking points in the actors' and writers' strikes back in 2023.