Blanchett, known for her performances in Blue Jasmine and Borderlands, acknowledged that the entertainment industry is particularly vulnerable. “AI can totally replace anyone,” she said, referencing its ability to replicate actors and other creative roles. However, her fears extend beyond her profession. “I’m less concerned with my job prospects than I am about its impact on the average person,” she explained. “Old-age pensioners, people working multiple jobs just to stay above the poverty line—those are the people I worry about.”
The actress noted that AI’s presence in mainstream discussions surged during the recent writers’ strike, which brought the issue into sharper focus. While acknowledging AI’s potential for experimentation and creativity, she also described it as “incredibly destructive.”
Blanchett went further, criticizing some technological developments as “absolutely pointless,” drawing parallels to the absurdity of her latest film, Rumours. In the satirical horror-comedy, world leaders are terrorized by zombies after getting lost during the G7 summit. “Compared to what’s actually happening in the world, our film feels like a sweet little documentary,” she remarked, citing examples like Tesla robots as evidence of AI’s unsettling trajectory.
For Blanchett, the stakes go beyond technological advancements. “I’m worried about us as a species,” she admitted, urging society to critically assess AI’s implications before it spirals out of control.