De Niro expresses industry concerns about AI's impact

Robert De Niro is taking on a unique challenge in his latest film, The Alto Knights. He stars in dual roles as two famous New York mob bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. The film focuses on their rivalry and the decline of organized crime. De Niro emphasized that the production used traditional methods like hair and makeup instead of artificial intelligence for the character interactions. In a recent interview, De Niro discussed the growing concern about AI in Hollywood. He noted, "Everybody's worried," pointing out that many in the industry fear that AI could disrupt creative jobs. Recently, over 400 actors and industry leaders sent an open letter to Washington, urging caution about AI technologies proposed by companies like OpenAI and Google. They are worried these technologies could impact creative industries, including film. De Niro expressed that while AI can assist, it cannot replace human talent. He highlighted that real people are essential to the art of filmmaking. He acknowledged that some of his voice was used in the film's narration, a decision made by director Barry Levinson after filming wrapped. He described the experience as "weird." The actor concluded with uncertainty about AI's future in cinema. "Who knows?" he asked, acknowledging that while there might be benefits, there may also be risks associated with its misuse. His film, The Alto Knights, re-teams him with collaborators from iconic films like Goodfellas and Casino. It arrives in theaters on March 21.