At a Cannes Film Festival masterclass and onstage conversation, Tilda Swinton argues that artificial intelligence cannot meaningfully replace cinema that avoids formula. She frames AI’s threat as limited to situations where filmmakers deliver predictable, repetitive stories that become tiring for audiences. In that view, AI may be able to produce or replicate content more efficiently when creativity defaults to established templates, but it cannot compete with films that remain distinctive, unpredictable, and artistically “messy” or adventurous. Both reports describe her emphasis on resisting formula and prioritizing experiences that challenge or surprise viewers rather than following recognizable patterns. Swinton’s comments also touch on the broader cultural moment at Cannes, where she reflects on the event’s appearance and social setting alongside her remarks about film and technology. Across the two outlets, the central message is consistent: as long as filmmakers keep making cinema that resists sameness and offers novelty to audiences, AI is unlikely to overtake the role of human-driven filmmaking.