Guillermo del Toro slams generative AI, calls dismissing art ‘Prelude to fascism’

guillermo del toro

• Del Toro warns AI could devalue art, calling it a "prelude to fascism"
• He urges filmmakers to reject the idea that art can be replicated by algorithms
• Del Toro's film Frankenstein received acclaim and a 13-minute standing ovation

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Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has once again taken aim at generative artificial intelligence (AI), warning that attitudes devaluing art could be a dangerous societal trend and describing such thinking as “the prelude to fascism.”

The outspoken director — known for works like Pan’s Labyrinth and the recent adaptation Frankenstein — made the remarks while accepting the directing honour at the Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards during the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

In his speech, del Toro urged young filmmakers to stay true to their craft and to reject the idea that art can be replicated by an algorithm."At a time when people tell you art is not important, that is always the prelude to fascism. When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you a f*****g app can do art you say, if it’s that important, why the f**k do they want it so bad? The answer is because they think they can debase everything that makes us a little better, a little more human. And that, in my book, and in my life, includes monsters," he added.

Del Toro’s criticism of generative AI is not new. At last year’s Gotham Awards, he similarly emphasised the value of human artistry, celebrating the creative contributions of cast and crew on his films while bluntly denouncing AI. He defended the craftsmanship of human designers, makeup artists, cinematographers and editors, calling attention to the collaborative soul of filmmaking and asserting, “F**k AI.”

The director’s newest film Frankenstein — a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic — received a 13-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, showcasing del Toro’s continued resonance with audiences and critics alike. "I’d like to tell the rest of our extraordinary cast and our crew that the artistry of all of them shines on every single frame of this film that was wilfully made by humans, for humans."

"The designers, builders, make-up, wardrobe team, cinematographers, composers, editors, this tribute belongs to all of them. I would like to extend our gratitude and say: F**k AI," he added.

Also read: 'Frankenstein' is a very truthful movie and it's about today: filmmaker Guillermo del Toro

Frankenstein is available for streaming on Netflix.