As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into film production, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is drawing a clearer line on the matter.
In new rules announced Friday for next year's 99th Academy Awards, the academy said that scripts must be “human-authored” to be eligible for awards consideration, and that only performances “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will qualify for acting awards. The group also reserved the right to request additional information about how AI tools were used in a film and the extent of human involvement.
The academy's Board of Governors reviews its rules annually. This year's revisions come as the industry continues to grapple with how artificial intelligence tools are reshaping the creative process and how institutions like the Oscars should reward that work, if at all.
The new changes build on guidelines introduced a year ago, when the academy said the use of AI would “neither help nor hurt” a film's chances of receiving a nomination, while emphasizing that voters should consider “the degree to which a human being was at the center of the creative authorship.” At the time, the organization stopped short of requiring formal disclosure of AI use, even as the technology became a flashpoint across Hollywood.
Taken together, the updated language suggests an effort to more clearly define the boundaries of authorship at a time when tools like voice cloning, digital doubles, and AI-assisted writing are becoming more common in film production. The emergence of synthetic artists like Tilly Norwood reflects the rapidity with which these questions have moved from the theoretical to the practical.
In announcing the new rules, the academy framed the changes as part of an effort to reflect the current state of filmmaking, while maintaining what it called a “commitment to honoring human authorship and artistry.”
Beyond the AI provisions, academy leaders approved several structural changes in different categories.
In acting, artists can now receive multiple nominations in the same category if their performances are among the top vote-getters, bringing the category in line with other branches.
The international feature film category also experienced a notable change. In addition to the traditional submission process through individual countries, non-English language films can now qualify by winning major awards at select major festivals, including Cannes, Berlin and Sundance. The award will be credited to the film itself and accepted by the director on behalf of the creative team, rather than the presenting country or region.
Other changes, including updates to voting procedures in categories such as cinematography, visual effects, and makeup and hair, were largely technical in nature.
The new rules will go into effect with next year's Oscars, scheduled for March 14, 2027.
