Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese has entered the ongoing debate surrounding artificial intelligence in Hollywood by endorsing an AI tool from Black Forest Labs.

Scorsese, known for films like *Taxi Driver* and *Goodfellas*, has become an adviser to the company, stating that the AI has been "creatively freeing" during the pre-production process.

This development is significant as it places a highly respected figure at the forefront of AI adoption in an industry grappling with its implications.

Black Forest Labs released a video showcasing Scorsese using AI to rapidly generate images for storyboards, which are crucial for outlining key characters, locations, and scenes.

The 83-year-old Oscar winner explained that he has historically found it challenging to convey his visual ideas to his cast and crew through traditional storyboards.

He believes AI can help him communicate these concepts "more clearly and efficiently to my creative team," including production designers, art designers, and cinematographers.

Scorsese highlighted his past use of advanced technology, such as 3D in *Hugo* (2011) and de-aging technology in *The Irishman* (2019), to emphasize his openness to cinematic evolution.

He noted that the ability to visualize and instantly share storyboards with AI allowed his team to "move faster without sacrificing quality or craft" during pre-production, where "time costs money."

## Industry Reaction to Scorsese's AI Stance

Despite Scorsese's enthusiasm, his endorsement has generated controversy among some film industry professionals and fans.

Karla Ortiz, an artist who worked on films like *Avengers: Endgame*, criticized Scorsese on X, suggesting he was undermining storyboard artists and their livelihoods.

Ortiz expressed concern that AI models might be trained on the very work of these artists, calling his use of legacy and power for this purpose "disgusting."

Animation director Samuel Deats echoed these sentiments, arguing that storyboarding a shot takes mere seconds and does not necessitate AI built on potentially "stolen work." However, others on social media defended Scorsese, viewing AI as another technological advancement akin to CGI, which could serve as a valuable tool to enhance the creative process rather than replace it.

Scorsese is not the only prominent director to engage with AI.

Darren Aronofsky's studio utilized AI for historical recreations, and Steven Soderbergh has employed it for visual scenes in a documentary.

Steven Spielberg has also commented on AI's potential to assist with tasks like location scouting, though he stressed it should remain a tool and not have the "final word on anything creative." Conversely, Guillermo Del Toro stated last year that he would "rather die" than use AI, illustrating the divided opinions within the industry.