Harvey Keitel Says AI Cannot Reproduce the Emotional Depth of Human Acting

Screen veteran Harvey Keitel, 87, has cautioned that artificial intelligence still cannot deliver the emotional weight of a live human performance. He argued the technology has not succeeded in reproducing the distinctive qualities that set actors apart, even as the movie business moves quickly to adopt it.

Keitel shared those views while making his third appearance at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, where he presented a screening of Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets. In an interview with Variety, he raised concerns about AI in cinema, disclosed that he is shooting a new independent film written by his wife, Daphna Kastner, and spoke about why film remains vital amid deepening political divisions worldwide.

On AI, he was direct. "Danger is in front of us," Keitel told the publication.

He referenced reports of an audiobook of Homer's The Odyssey narrated with an AI-generated version of Michael Caine's voice. "They used his voice, but there was no emotion in it. They couldn't reproduce Michael Caine's beauty," he said.

Keitel went on: "It's this new industry that's developing where actors are selling their image and their voices, but they can't reproduce their emotional life. In that way, the AI thing failed. I know it could be used for good purposes also, but we're going to have to find good people."

Caine recently licensed his voice to AI company ElevenLabs for its Iconic Voice Marketplace. The first approved digital recreation was used for an audiobook of The Odyssey.

Asked what continues to drive him after decades in the business, Keitel spoke about the personal territory acting allows him to explore. "There are so many things to deal with as a human being. My fears, my loves, my desires, my errors, my successes, my having to face death… And you can do that very well through the arts. That's one good way to do it," he said.

He also said film festivals now carry unusual importance. "Festivals are more important today than ever before in my lifetime because of the social situation around the world now," he remarked.

On global conflict, he added: "Politics is a disaster. Religions are in conflict with each other. I mean… judging somebody by the religion or the colour of their skin, I can't think of anything more f****** ridiculous, and yet, we are still doing it."

His remarks arrive as AI remains a central issue across the film industry following the Hollywood strikes, with performers and studios still negotiating how actors' voices and likenesses may be used.