The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued new eligibility rules for the Oscars, barring artificial intelligence-generated actors and scripts from consideration for awards. The revised guidelines, announced on May 1, 2026, stipulate that only performances "demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" will qualify for acting categories. Similarly, screenplays must be "human-authored" to be eligible for writing awards.
These changes reflect the Academy's commitment to honoring human creativity amidst the increasing integration of AI tools in film production. While AI can be utilized in filmmaking, the Academy emphasized that its role will neither help nor harm a film's chances for nomination, with a focus remaining on the degree of human involvement in the creative process. The organization reserves the right to request additional information from filmmakers to verify the extent of human authorship and involvement in submitted works.
The new rules address concerns that arose during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes, where the use of AI in creative fields was a significant point of contention. The Academy's decision aims to maintain the integrity of human artistry and prevent the displacement of creative professionals by AI.
Beyond the AI provisions, the Academy also introduced other rule changes for the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2027. In the acting categories, performers may now receive multiple nominations in the same category if their performances rank among the top vote-getters. This aligns the acting categories with other branches of the Academy.
The international feature film category has also seen a notable shift. Non-English language films can now qualify for consideration by winning top prizes at select major film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance, in addition to the traditional submission process through individual countries. This change is intended to broaden the scope of international films eligible for nomination and reduce potential barriers for films produced in certain regions.
The Academy's Board of Governors reviews its rules annually, and these revisions signify a clear stance on the boundaries of AI in award-eligible filmmaking. The updated language seeks to define authorship more clearly at a time when technologies such as voice cloning and digital doubles are becoming more prevalent in the industry. The Academy stated that its goal is to ensure the Oscars remain a symbol of human achievement.