Two films embroiled in controversy due to their use of artificial intelligence led the nominations for the Academy Awards announced Thursday. "The Brutalist, " a drama about a Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and relocates to the U. S. , received 10 nominations, while "Emilia Pérez, " a musical about a transgender Mexican cartel leader, topped the list with 13 nominations. Both films faced backlash this month for utilizing AI to enhance actors' voices. "The Brutalist" drew criticism for also using AI to improve visuals in its ending sequence. Notable nominations for "The Brutalist" include Adrien Brody for best actor and Felicity Jones for best supporting actress, while "Emilia Pérez" star Karla Sofía Gascón is nominated for best actress. The films received nominations for best picture, best film editing, with "Emilia Pérez" also nominated for best sound. AI's role in Hollywood has become contentious, particularly during the recent actors' and writers' strikes, where creators expressed concerns about AI replacing their jobs.

The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA have reached agreements with production companies addressing the use of generative AI, leaving some issues unresolved, particularly around training AI with existing content. The controversy heightened after an interview with "The Brutalist" director Brady Corbet and film editor David Jancso highlighted their use of AI tool Respeecher for enhancing dialogue and creating architectural visuals. Jancso argued that AI should be openly discussed for its potential to enhance filmmaking, emphasizing that it merely expedites processes without replacing artistic contributions. However, this sparked heated social media debate, with some vowing to boycott the film. Corbet defended the authenticity of the performances, clarifying that while AI helped refine Hungarian dialogue, it did not alter the actors’ original voices. Similarly, "Emilia Pérez" faced scrutiny over its use of Respeecher, particularly in blending Gascón's voice with another singer to achieve desired singing registers. Defenders of both films referenced past movies like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "The Irishman, " which also utilized similar technologies. Peter Csathy from Creative Media highlighted the unique challenges posed by generative AI, noting that it raises both creative and legal risks due to potential copyright issues. Additionally, "Maria, " another nominee, also employed Respeecher for voice cloning, extending the conversation about AI's evolving role in the film industry.