Oscar-Winning 'The Brutalist' Sparks AI Controversy as Producer Defends Its Use

The Oscar-winning film "The Brutalist" has found itself at the center of a heated debate over the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, with producer D.J. Gugenheim stepping up to defend the technology's role in the production.

Speaking with Deadline at Sunday night's Oscars, Gugenheim described AI as "simply a tool," likening it to other post-production techniques such as lighting and sound. "What’s important about how we’re making a film is that we’re trusting the actors and the creatives and the talent to make a film," he said. "If no one is losing a job, and you’re making the best version of the product, that’s when you’re using a tool."

The controversy stems from revelations that the production team used AI tools from Ukrainian software company Respeecher to enhance Hungarian dialogue spoken by stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. The film's editor, Dávid Jancsó, explained to Red Shark News that the technology was used to perfect the actors' pronunciation of Hungarian, one of the most notoriously difficult languages to master. Jancsó, a native Hungarian speaker, said, "We coached [Brody and Jones] and they did a fabulous job, but we also wanted to perfect it so that not even locals will spot any difference."

Brody, who won Best Actor for his role in the film, and Jones recorded their voices into the AI software, with Jancsó even contributing his own voice to refine the dialect. The technology also made its way into the film’s final sequence, where generative AI was used to craft architectural drawings and finished buildings in the style of Brody’s character, an architect.

Director Brady Corbet also weighed in on the debate, issuing a statement to Variety to clarify the use of AI. He emphasized that the actors' performances remained untouched and that the Respeecher technology was only employed to refine specific aspects of their Hungarian dialogue. "Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own," Corbet stated. He also clarified that the production designer and her team did not rely on AI for creating or rendering buildings; instead, all images were hand-drawn by artists.

The controversy has sparked broader discussions about transparency in the use of AI in filmmaking. Some have called on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to establish disclosure rules for films employing AI. Gugenheim welcomed the idea, saying, "People are asking questions, like, The Academy is now asking if AI is being used. I say that’s great. There’s no problem with that, and you shouldn’t use AI to take away from a job, for sure."

Interestingly, "The Brutalist" isn't the only film to dabble with AI this awards season. "Emilia Perez" employed AI to enhance the vocal range of its lead star, while "Dune: Part Two" used machine learning to create the glowing blue eyes of the Fremen characters. Even the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" incorporated AI for a few wide shots involving a motorcycle.

While AI’s growing presence in cinema is undeniable, the debate over its role and its ethical boundaries in creative industries is far from over. As Gugenheim aptly put it, AI is a tool—but like any tool, how it’s wielded determines whether it’s a blessing or a curse.