Leonardo DiCaprio dismisses AI creations as internet junk with no meaning

Leonardo DiCaprio says AI can never be true art, warning even brilliant creations lack humanity and meaning

Leonardo DiCaprio has delivered one of the strongest rebukes of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, arguing that no matter how impressive it appears, AI can never truly be considered art. Speaking in a wide ranging interview with Time magazine after being named Entertainer of the Year, the Oscar winning actor made it clear that creativity without humanity is ultimately hollow.

DiCaprio acknowledged that AI technology may offer practical benefits, particularly for young filmmakers with limited resources. He said it could function as an enhancement tool that helps creators achieve visuals or concepts that were previously impossible. However, he firmly drew a line between assistance and authorship, stressing that authentic art must originate from human experience, emotion and intention.

In the interview, DiCaprio reflected on viral AI generated music and videos that momentarily impress audiences online. He described hearing mashups that convincingly combine the voices and styles of legendary artists, admitting they can sound brilliant at first. Yet he argued that these creations fade quickly because they lack emotional grounding. According to DiCaprio, they enjoy a brief burst of attention before dissolving into what he called the ether of internet junk, with nothing lasting or meaningful to hold onto.

His comments also addressed growing concerns about job losses in the film industry. DiCaprio said he mourns the possibility that talented and experienced workers could be displaced as studios experiment with AI tools. For him, the threat is not just economic but cultural, as automation risks stripping storytelling of the lived experiences that give films their power.

DiCaprio’s stance aligns him with a growing list of prominent filmmakers who have publicly rejected generative AI. Guillermo del Toro recently made headlines for his blunt opposition, stating he would rather stop making films than rely on AI. James Cameron has also banned generative AI from his Avatar sequels, saying that actors and human performance must be honoured, not replaced.

Actors and writers have echoed similar frustrations. Emma Thompson has spoken openly about her irritation with AI tools that offer to rewrite her work, describing the intrusion as an insult to the personal connection between thought, hand and page. These reactions reflect an industry wide unease about where creative control is heading.

Online, DiCaprio’s comments have sparked debate across social platforms, with fans and critics weighing in on whether AI can ever carry emotional weight. Many praised him for defending human creativity, while others argued that technology inevitably becomes part of artistic evolution.

For DiCaprio, however, the issue remains clear. Art, in his view, must be anchored in humanity. Without that connection, even the most technically impressive creation is destined to disappear without leaving a lasting mark.