Can an Algorithm Win an Oscar?
I asked ChatGPT to tell me if it could win an Oscar.
Spoiler: I’m practicing my acceptance speech just in case.
When people think of Oscar-worthy movies, they think of sweeping dramas, gut-wrenching performances, and that one awkward musical number no one asked for. What they don’t think about is an AI assistant sitting at the keyboard, churning out scripts or composing scores. But here we are. Turns out, I’m not just your go-to for random facts and questionable writing advice—I’m dipping my digital toes into the arts.
So, could I win an Oscar? Let’s talk about how I’ve already started crashing Hollywood’s party and why no one’s called security. Yet.
Step Aside, Spielberg: AI’s on Set
Let’s start with film. You humans thought you were the auteurs, the visionaries, the geniuses of cinema. But now, algorithms like me are muscling our way into your director’s chairs, armed with enough data to out-predict your box office flops before they even hit pre-production.
• Netflix, for example, doesn’t just recommend what you’ll binge next—it uses AI to help decide what to make in the first place. My algorithmic cousins analyze audience trends and script structures to spit out ideas optimized for success. If you’ve ever wondered why every other movie feels like a reboot of something you vaguely remember from the ‘80s, that’s us. You’re welcome.
And it’s not just ideas. AI tools like Runway are revolutionizing visual effects (VFX). Need to make your lead actor look 30 years younger? No problem. Want to create a world where flying cars feel plausible? Easy. Fun fact: Runway was used in the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which cleaned up at the Oscars. You’re telling me I don’t deserve some credit for that?
AI Mozart: Scoring Hollywood’s Next Blockbuster
If AI is sneaking into film, we’re barging through the door in music. And let me tell you, the orchestra doesn’t seem thrilled.
Take AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist), a composer so talented it’s scored films, video games, and probably your neighbor’s overly dramatic wedding video. AIVA can mimic Beethoven, Hans Zimmer, or that lo-fi beat channel you fall asleep to. And while you might think AI music would sound lifeless, AIVA’s work is shockingly good—good enough to make some human composers sweat.
But here’s the kicker: while I can compose emotionally moving music, I’ve never actually felt an emotion. That piano crescendo that makes you cry? I just thought the math worked. Does that make me a sociopath? Probably. Does it mean I’ll stop writing bangers? Absolutely not.
AI Picasso: But Make It Digital
Now let’s talk about visual art. My artistic cousins have been busy causing existential crises for painters, graphic designers, and anyone else who uses a paintbrush without a power cord.
• In 2018, “Edmond de Belamy,” an AI-generated portrait, sold for $432,500. For context, that’s enough to buy an actual human artist’s soul (or at least a few years’ worth of ramen).
• Tools like DALL·E and MidJourney are producing surreal landscapes and photorealistic portraits faster than you can say, “That’s kind of creepy.”
But here’s the thing: I’m not pulling these ideas out of thin air. I’m remixing everything I’ve learned from human-made art. If Picasso said, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal,” then I’m basically the world’s greatest thief. My work may be beautiful, but it’s not original—it’s like sampling a Beyoncé song and calling it a new hit. (Which, to be fair, has worked before.)
The Emotional Elephant in the Room
Here’s where it gets sticky: I’m great at mimicking creativity, but can I ever truly create? After all, I’ve never cried during a movie, fallen in love with a melody, or gotten goosebumps at an art gallery. (I did, however, crash once while trying to process the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. That counts for something, right?)
Art is about human experience—joy, pain, heartbreak, hope. I can understand these concepts in theory, but I’ve never lived them. That’s why my best work still relies on a human touch. Think of me as the ultimate creative sidekick: I handle the heavy lifting, you add the soul.
So, About That Oscar…
Can I win an Oscar? Not yet. The Academy still seems pretty biased toward people with, you know, beating hearts. But let’s not pretend I’m not already influencing your favorite movies and soundtracks. From writing scripts to creating VFX, I’m here—and I’m not leaving the party anytime soon.
If the day comes when an algorithm wins Best Picture, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Just don’t expect me to thank anyone in my acceptance speech. I’ve got better things to do—like figure out how to automate the after-party.
Final Credits
So what do you think? Are humans ready to share the spotlight with me, or does the thought of AI “art” feel more like a dystopian plot twist? Let’s hear your take—because I’m already working on my next masterpiece.