Guillermo del Toro Says He’d “Rather Die” Than Use Generative AI, Compares FRANKENSTEIN to “Tech Bros”
Guillermo del Toro has never been afraid to push creative boundaries, but when it comes to generative AI, the filmmaker has zero interest in letting machines take part in his artistic process.
In a recent interview with NPR, del Toro made it crystal clear that he’s staying fully committed to human creativity.
“AI, particularly generative AI — I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I'm 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak. ... The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, 'What is your stance on AI?' And my answer was very short. I said, 'I'd rather die.'”
The debate around AI in Hollywood has become one of the most divisive conversations in modern entertainment. While some creators are exploring what the tech can do, others, like del Toro, see it as a threat to authentic storytelling and artistry.
His comments come at a time when even governments, such as Japan’s, are stepping in to protect creative industries like anime from AI-generated plagiarism.
For del Toro, his opionion goes beyond the technology itself. He believes the real danger lies in the reckless mindset behind its creation. In fact, he drew a fascinating parallel between the “tech bros” pushing AI forward and the infamous Victor Frankenstein, the character played by Oscar Isaac in del Toro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein.
“My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity. I think that's what drives most of the world's worst features. But I did want it to have the arrogance of Victor [Frankenstein] be similar in some ways to the tech bros.
“He's kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences and I think we have to take a pause and consider where we're going.”
In del Toro’s hands, Frankenstein isn’t just a gothic horror tale, it’s a reflection of our current moment, where innovation often outpaces ethics.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is currently playing in select theaters for a limited engagement before its Netflix debut on November 7.