Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Tom Cruise Says AI Is Coming, Audiences Want Real Things
Tom Cruise talked about how artificial intelligence may change movies.
He said AI is coming and will probably be used in entertainment.
However, he believes people still want to watch real and human-made stories.
He encouraged filmmakers to keep creating.
Cruise also said movie theaters are special because people watch films together there.
He said streaming is not a problem, but theaters offer a different kind of experience.
He mentioned that the summer box office reached USD 4.76 billion.
Cruise also discussed Digger, a movie in which he plays an oil tycoon who becomes connected to a major disaster.
Tom Cruise said artificial intelligence will become part of filmmaking and entertainment, but audiences still want authentic experiences.
Cruise urged creatives to keep creating and emphasized the importance of human storytelling and performances.
He described watching films in theaters as a different art form and said he has nothing against streaming.
Cruise cited a record USD 4.76 billion summer box office as evidence that audiences continue seeking shared theater experiences.
Cruise discussed Digger, his upcoming film with Alejandro González Iñárritu, in which he plays oil baron Digger Rockwell.
- Who
- Tom Cruise, speaking with moderator Edith Bowman at a British Academy of Film and Television Arts event.
- What
- Cruise discussed artificial intelligence, human creativity, theatrical moviegoing, streaming, and his upcoming film Digger.
- When
- September 22; the reports also describe the event as taking place on a Monday, but no year is specified.
- Where
- London, United Kingdom.
- Why
- Cruise was responding to questions about AI’s growing role in filmmaking and explaining why he believes audiences continue to value human performances and shared theater experiences.
Human-Centered Filmmaking
Technology-Assisted Filmmaking
Artificial intelligence in movies
Human-Centered Filmmaking
Cruise acknowledged that AI is coming but stressed that audiences want real things, human creativity, and authentic storytelling.
Technology-Assisted Filmmaking
AI is becoming an increasingly important part of entertainment and filmmaking, with technological advances prompting debate across the industry.
Theatrical viewing versus streaming
Human-Centered Filmmaking
Cruise described theaters as a different art form and said shared moviegoing experiences bring people together; he cited the strong summer box office as evidence of continued interest.
Technology-Assisted Filmmaking
Cruise said he has nothing against streaming, and films are also consumed through streaming services.
- Event
- British Academy of Film and Television Arts “Life in Pictures” conversation
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Cruise’s AI view
- AI is coming, but audiences want to see real things and filmmakers should keep creating.
- Summer box office
- USD 4.76 billion between May 1 and Labour Day
- Upcoming film
- Digger
- Director
- Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Cruise’s role
- Digger Rockwell, an oil baron whose company’s actions trigger an ecological disaster with the potential to spark a nuclear war
- India release
- Digger is scheduled to release in India on October 2; the year is not specified
