Martin Scorsese in Secret Talks With Hollywood Guild Over AI Involvement
The acclaimed director's role as an advisor for an AI firm has drawn criticism from the Art Directors Guild.
Director Martin Scorsese has engaged in private discussions with a prominent Hollywood guild regarding his recent association with an artificial intelligence startup. The move comes as the filmmaker faces public criticism for his involvement with the AI firm Black Forest Labs, where he serves as an advisor.
Scorsese, 83, joined Black Forest Labs and was featured in a promotional video showcasing the company's FLUX generative AI model for storyboarding. In the video, Scorsese described the technology as a tool that gives filmmakers more control over their vision, stating, "You do have that control of making the film rather than doing it solely through verbal language." He noted how the AI could help communicate visual ideas to cast and crew more effectively.
The Art Directors Guild (ADG), representing nearly 3,000 below-the-line workers including storyboard artists, production designers, and illustrators, expressed strong disapproval of Scorsese's new role. In a public statement, the guild accused the "Goodfellas" director of "turning his back on the human artists." A source close to the guild indicated that the concerns were particularly acute for illustrators and storyboard artists, who are seen as potentially vulnerable to being replaced by AI.
Following the guild's statement, representatives for Scorsese reportedly reached out to the ADG to address the concerns. Sources familiar with the matter said that during a phone meeting with guild president Dina Lipton, Scorsese's representatives emphasized his history of positive relationships with below-the-line workers. However, subsequent attempts to arrange a meeting with the guild's AI committee have reportedly not progressed.
Scorsese is not the only major Hollywood figure exploring AI technology. Other directors such as Darren Aronofsky, Ben Affleck, James Cameron, and Steven Soderbergh have also engaged with AI in various capacities. Aronofsky launched his AI studio Primordial Soup in 2025, while Soderbergh utilized AI for his documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview." Cameron joined the board of Stability AI in 2024.
The ADG's concerns highlight a growing tension within the film industry as AI technology advances. The guild fears that widespread adoption of such tools by influential figures like Scorsese could set a precedent that devalues the work of human artists and potentially leads to job displacement.