Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan has described artificial intelligence (AI) as an “obvious Trojan horse”, urging people to remain cautious about the rapidly advancing technology. Speaking during an interview while promoting his latest film, “The Odyssey,” Nolan said he has been encouraged by what he sees as widespread public skepticism toward AI, particularly among younger generations.
Responding to a question from French journalist and YouTube creator Hugo Travers (HugoDécrypte), Nolan drew a comparison between AI and the legendary Trojan Horse, a central element in the story of The Odyssey. Travers suggested that AI could be viewed as a seemingly beneficial innovation that might ultimately reveal darker consequences.
Laughing at the comparison, Nolan remarked, “I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside.” He later expanded on the analogy, calling AI “a transparent horse” made of glass, suggesting that while the technology’s potential risks are visible, society continues to embrace it.
The filmmaker said he has rarely witnessed a technology advance so rapidly while simultaneously attracting such widespread public suspicion.
“I’ve never seen a technology advancing so rapidly that’s been so completely rejected by the public,” Nolan said.
According to Nolan, younger people have been particularly critical of AI-generated content, often dismissing low-quality AI-generated videos and images as “AI slop.” He described this public response as a positive development rather than a barrier to innovation.
Nolan argued that maintaining skepticism toward emerging technologies is essential for ensuring they are developed and used responsibly.
“Technology is always going to give us great gifts, but it has to be viewed with skepticism,” he said, adding that the motivations of the companies and individuals developing these technologies should also be carefully examined rather than accepted with blind trust.
Although Nolan did not specify the exact risks he believes AI poses, the technology has become a major point of debate across the entertainment industry. Concerns surrounding generative AI played a significant role during the 2023 Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, with unions seeking safeguards against the use of AI in scriptwriting, performance replication and creative production.
As President of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Nolan has also supported contractual protections addressing the use of generative AI in filmmaking, reflecting growing concerns among creative professionals about preserving human authorship and artistic integrity.
Nolan has long been known for his cautious approach toward new technologies. While often regarded as both an innovator and a traditionalist, he has consistently championed the use of film over digital formats. His latest epic, “The Odyssey,” marks a historic milestone as the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX film cameras, underscoring his continued commitment to traditional filmmaking techniques.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Nolan rejected the idea that he is a technophobe, instead describing himself as a “techno-skeptic.” He explained that while he embraces technological progress, he believes new innovations are too often promoted at the expense of existing methods that continue to offer significant value.
Reflecting on the evolution of the film industry, Nolan warned that the rapid shift toward digital filmmaking nearly led to the disappearance of traditional film.
“I embrace new technology all the time, but it tends to be sold to people at the expense of systems that might still be valid and viable,” he said. “We almost lost film.”
As artificial intelligence continues transforming industries ranging from entertainment and education to healthcare and business, Nolan’s remarks contribute to the broader global debate over balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, transparency and human creativity.
Disclaimer: This report has been editorially prepared using publicly available information and official interview statements. Readers are advised to refer to the complete interview for additional context.
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