AI Is a 'Trojan Horse,' Warns 'Odyssey' Director Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan, the Oscar-winning director whose acclaimed new adaptation of “The Odyssey” is currently dominating the box office, has expressed that he finds the profound skepticism toward artificial intelligence, particularly among younger generations, "pretty encouraging."

Nolan’s comments came during an interview with Hugo Travers, known for his YouTube channel HugoDécrypte. Travers posed a question referencing the legendary Trojan horse, a pivotal element in Nolan’s film. He mused whether AI, much like the deceptive gift that concealed Greek invaders, might be something "that you welcome in your daily life" only to evolve into "something else and something darker."

With a laugh, Nolan responded, “I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside.” He further elaborated, characterizing the technology as “a transparent horse, it’s made of glass.”

“I’ve never seen a technology advancing so rapidly [that’s been] so completely rejected by the public,” Nolan remarked. He highlighted the "extreme" suspicion surrounding it, especially from young people. He cited the immediate reactions to online AI videos, where individuals of his children’s age swiftly labeled them "AI slop," coining the term and effectively dismissing the content.

Nolan views this as "a very healthy skepticism," asserting that while "technology is always going to give us great gifts," it must always be met with scrutiny. He added, “The motives of the people giving it to us also have to be viewed with skepticism. That’s when we’ll get the best out of a new technology, rather than just blind faith that everything’s going to be great.” (Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been vocally critical of the film's nonwhite and transgender cast members.)

While Nolan did not specify the exact threats he perceives from AI, the technology has become an escalating concern within Hollywood. It was a central issue during the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. The Directors Guild of America, of which Nolan serves as president, successfully negotiated generative AI protections in its latest contract.

The director is notably resistant to certain modern technologies, including smartphones. His staunch commitment to film sometimes positions him as both a Luddite and a pioneer, exemplified by “The Odyssey” becoming the first feature film ever shot entirely on Imax film and with Imax cameras.

When recently asked by The New York Times if he considered himself a technophobe, Nolan clarified, “I think of myself as a techno-skeptic.” He attributed his passion for film to its superior ability "in terms of representing the way the eye sees the world than any digital imaging system I’ve seen."

“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,” Nolan explained. He concluded with a warning against prematurely abandoning proven methods, stating, “That’s what I saw in my industry — throwing the baby out with the bath water. We almost lost film!”