A Trojan Horse: The Odyssey filmmaker Christopher Nolan says AI's dangers are hiding in plain sight

Artificial intelligence may be reshaping industries at breakneck speed, but filmmaker Christopher Nolan believes the public has responded with an unusually high degree of caution, and he sees that as a positive development.

The Academy Award-winning director, who is currently promoting The Odyssey, reflected on the growing debate around AI during an interview with French journalist and YouTuber Hugo Travers, better known as HugoDécrypte. Drawing on themes from his latest film, Nolan suggested that while powerful technologies often promise progress, they should never be accepted without scrutiny.

Using one of history's most famous symbols of deception, Nolan likened AI to the Trojan horse, before adding his own twist to the analogy. "I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside," he said, later describing it as "a transparent horse, it's made of glass."

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'Healthy scepticism' could shape AI's future

Travers had asked whether AI could resemble the legendary wooden horse from Greek mythology, a tool welcomed into everyday life before revealing a far darker purpose. Nolan responded by arguing that, unlike many previous technological breakthroughs, artificial intelligence has entered public consciousness amid widespread suspicion rather than excitement.

"I've never seen a technology advancing so rapidly [that's been] so completely rejected by the public," Nolan said.

He pointed in particular to younger internet users, who have increasingly criticised low-quality AI-generated images and videos, often dismissing such content as "AI slop". According to Nolan, the speed with which younger audiences have recognised and labelled synthetic content demonstrates an instinctive scepticism that could prove valuable.

Rather than viewing this distrust as resistance to innovation, Nolan suggested it reflects a sensible approach to emerging technology.

"I think that's a very healthy skepticism," he said, adding that every major technological leap brings genuine opportunities but should also invite careful questioning. He argued that it is equally important to examine the intentions of the companies and individuals driving these technologies, rather than assuming their goals always align with the public interest.

For Nolan, striking that balance is essential if society is to benefit from AI without overlooking its potential risks.

A long-standing advocate for questioning technology

Although Nolan stopped short of identifying specific dangers posed by generative AI, his comments echo broader concerns that have spread across the entertainment industry over the past several years.

Hollywood's writers and actors made AI safeguards a central issue during the major labour disputes of 2023, arguing that studios should not be allowed to use the technology to replace creative professionals or exploit their work without consent. The Directors Guild of America, where Nolan serves as president, also secured contractual protections covering the use of generative AI in its latest agreement.

His latest remarks are also consistent with a reputation built over decades of questioning technological trends. Nolan has long favoured traditional filmmaking methods, championing large-format film at a time when much of the industry shifted towards digital production. The Odyssey has pushed that philosophy further by becoming the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.

That preference has sometimes led to him being portrayed as resistant to new technology, a characterisation he has repeatedly rejected. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Nolan described himself not as someone opposed to innovation but as "a techno-skeptic". He argued that film continues to offer a visual quality that digital systems have yet to fully replicate.

He has also maintained that technological progress should not come at the cost of discarding systems that still have value. Reflecting on the transition from analogue filmmaking to digital production, Nolan said the industry came close to abandoning film altogether, an outcome he believes would have been a significant loss.

His latest comments suggest he applies the same philosophy to artificial intelligence: innovation deserves attention, but unquestioning enthusiasm does not. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in creative work and everyday life, Nolan believes a critical public may ultimately be the best safeguard against its unintended consequences.