Ben Affleck says he used AI "for lots of things" in Netflix film Animals
At Bloomberg's Screentime event, Ben Affleck said he used AI in his Netflix film Animals but wouldn't say how, and argued AI is a tool rather than a threat to Hollywood.
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The story, neutrally told
Ben Affleck said on Wednesday at Bloomberg's 2026 Screentime event that he used AI "for lots of things" in his upcoming Netflix thriller Animals. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Ben Affleck used AI “for lots of things” in his upcoming Netflix thriller Animals, he said Wednesday at Bloomberg‘s 2026 Screentime event.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ He declined to say which things, arguing that filmmakers are "trying to foster the illusion of reality" and likening disclosure to a magician revealing a trick. The Hollywood ReporterLC “I’m a little bit hesitant to point out what they are — or even talk about it — because in my business, we’re trying to foster the illusion of reality, right?” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ He called the film a good example of ethical AI use because it is "a very human movie"; Animals premieres on Netflix on Oct. 9. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Animals premieres on Netflix on Oct. 9.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Affleck described AI as "another form of computing that does tools", in line with earlier technological advances in film and television, and said fear of it fades once people understand it. The Hollywood ReporterLC “It’s another form of computing that does tools and is a technological advancement” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “It’s another form of computing that does tools, and is a technological advancement” Read at Deadline ↗ He said he does not worry about "Skynet" or AI taking over the film business in any meaningful way, but worries about AI's effect on children in school, such as learned helplessness. DeadlineN “I don’t worry about Skynet, and I don’t think that it’s going to take over this business in any meaningful way,” Read at Deadline ↗ Affleck is the founder of InterPositive, an AI firm Netflix bought earlier this year; Deadline puts the confirmed price at $587 million, The Hollywood Reporter says nearly $600 million. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Affleck sold the streamer his AI company InterPositive for nearly $600 million” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “what was later confirmed as $587 million” Read at Deadline ↗
Deadline adds that InterPositive's staff of fewer than 20 joined Netflix and Affleck is an advisor, and that Donald Trump invited him to an AI lunch with tech CEOs at the White House this week. DeadlineN “saw its staff of less than 20 absorbed into the streamer and Affleck on board as an advisor”“Donald Trump could have done a lot worse than inviting Ben Affleck to his AI lunch with tech CEOs this week at the White House.” Read at Deadline ↗ In the same talk he rejected the viral claim that Netflix made him and Matt Damon restate the plot of The Rip, saying their experience was "utterly contrary" to it. The Hollywood ReporterLC “was “utterly contrary” to the quote that went viral” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on Affleck's admission of AI use in Animals and his refusal to specify, tying it to his financial relationship with Netflix.
- Emphasis
- The AI use in the film, the Netflix business tie, and his rebuttal of the Matt Damon plot-note story.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the White House AI lunch, his worries about AI in education, or Artist Equity.
- Charged language
- “deep in bed together”
- For example
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“At this point, Affleck and Netflix are deep in bed together when it comes to AI.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on Affleck's calm view of AI, with no fear of Skynet, set against the worries of tech chiefs and the White House lunch.
- Emphasis
- His broader AI views, his worries about schools, InterPositive's sale and Artist Equity.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report his saying he used AI in Animals or his reluctance to say how.
- Charged language
- “techlords”“Way better than SkyNet any day.”
- For example
-
“Unlike the heads of OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and more, the Oscar winner and InterPositive founder isn’t playing defense or doom and gloom” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Affleck spoke at Bloomberg's Screentime event on Wednesday.
- He called AI "another form of computing" and a tool, not a threat to Hollywood.
- He founded InterPositive, which Netflix bought for roughly $600 million.
- Animals is an upcoming Netflix film.
Where accounts differ
-
Price Netflix paid for InterPositive
- Left
- "nearly $600 million"
- Centre
- "$587 million", later confirmed
Ben Affleck person
Says he used AI in Animals as an ethical example, won't detail how, and sees AI as a tool that won't take over film.
“But yes, we did use it, and in fact, I thought it was a good example (of how to use AI ethically)” — The Hollywood Reporter
Left1 article
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Ben Affleck Used AI “For Lots of Things” in His New Netflix Movie ‘Animals’
Mixed Reports the AI admission with a wry note on Affleck's Netflix financial ties.
Centre1 article
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Ben Affleck Doesn’t “Worry About SkyNet” When It Comes To AI; “It’s Another Form Of Computing”
Sympathetic Presents Affleck as a level-headed contrast to anxious tech CEOs, with jokey asides.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 1 Oct 04:41 First The Hollywood ReporterLC Ben Affleck Used AI “For Lots of Things” in His New Netflix Movie ‘Animals’
- 1 Oct 05:34 +53m DeadlineN Ben Affleck Doesn’t “Worry About SkyNet” When It Comes To AI; “It’s Another Form Of Computing”
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.