The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially updated its rules to prohibit AI-generated performances and scripts from being eligible for Academy Awards. The new guidelines, announced Friday, clarify that acting and writing categories must be performed and penned by humans rather than artificial intelligence.
According to France24, the Academy is launching this crackdown to ensure that only real, live human performers—not AI avatars—are eligible for the film industry's highest honors. The new rules also specify that screenplays must be human-authored.
CNN Chile reported that while the Academy is not issuing a total ban on the use of AI tools within the filmmaking process, it will not allow synthetic interpretations, such as an AI-generated actor, to compete for an Oscar. The Academy has also reserved the right to request additional information regarding the nature of generative AI use and the human authorship of submitted works.
Changes to international categories and voting timelines
The updated regulations also include significant changes to the International Feature Film category. CNN Chile noted that films will now be credited as nominees rather than being tied to a specific country or territory, and the statuette will be accepted by the director on behalf of the creative team.
Additional adjustments have been made to categories including Original Song, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Visual Effects. The Academy also updated rules regarding campaign practices directed at its members.
Regarding the timeline for the 99th Academy Awards, the institution established that the submission period for competing films will begin in August and September 2026. Preliminary voting in certain branches is scheduled to take place in January 2027, leading up to the ceremony planned for March 2027, according to CNN Chile.
Reuters reported that the Academy's new writing rules expressly codify that scripts must be human-authored. The organization may seek further documentation to verify that all submissions correspond to human-led work.
