Nolan calls AI a 'Trojan horse everybody knows about'

What happened

Christopher Nolan, director of the Oscar-winning new version of "The Odyssey," said in an interview that AI is a "Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside" — comparing it to the mythological horse featured in his film, which conceals danger beneath an inviting surface. He praised what he called "pretty encouraging" deep skepticism of AI, particularly among young people.

Why it matters

Nolan framed healthy skepticism toward AI as essential, arguing that "the motives of the people giving it to us also have to be viewed with skepticism." His comments reflect broader Hollywood concerns about generative AI; the technology was a major focus during the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, and the Directors Guild of America (where Nolan serves as president) secured generative AI protections in its latest contract.

What to watch

Nolan described himself as a "techno-skeptic" rather than a technophobe, noting he has "embraced new technology" — evident in "The Odyssey" becoming the first feature film shot entirely on Imax film and cameras. His stance suggests a distinction between cautious adoption of tools he deems valuable and outright rejection of technologies that displace still-viable systems.