John Waters reveals one task he’d use AI for: “Not to help me write”
John Waters has weighed in on the AI debate, revealing that the nascent technology isn’t good for writing, but may have other purposes.
The debate over the use of AI in the film industry has divided filmmakers across the globe; some, like Martin Scorsese, have embraced elements of the technology, while others, like Park Chan-Wook, have condemned Artificial Intelligence.
Now, The Pop of Trash has weighed in on the matter. In a new interview with Billboard, the Pink Flamingos star clarified that he would “not [use AI] to help me write”.
He added succinctly, “I would use AI to cure cancer. But not to write, no.”
Waters explained, “I saw something that was written supposedly for me by AI, and it was just like a really bad first draft — but yes, it was a first draft. To me, no. I wouldn’t do it.”
For Waters, this is a matter of both principle and ability. He added, “I wouldn’t know how to do it even if I wanted to. I think I always thought it would be good for pornography, but you can tell. It looks too good. I thought I would like it but I don’t. It looks too good.”
Elsewhere in the industry, filmmakers are using AI as a tool to resurrect performers from the dead; most notably, Val Kilmer is set to lead a new movie, As Deep as the Grave, despite his death in 2025.
Thankfully, many filmmakers share Waters’ view. A24 Backrooms star Kane Parsons recently critiqued the rise in AI’s popularity, sharing, “To me, generative AI feels less like innovation than a symptom of a broader cultural and economic rot.”
As for Waters, the 80-year-old is currently touring his one-man spoken-word show, titled Going to Extremes. Elsewhere, in mid-July, the coveted filmmaker will host Mosswood Meltdown festival in Oakland, which is headlined by Iggy Pop and Bikini Kill with a pre-party performance from Pavement.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.