‘Ocean’s 14’ Star George Clooney Shares Concerns About AI and Its Impact

George Clooney’s appearances at the Venice Film Festival always attract attention, and his 2026 visit is particularly significant as he returns to accept the festival’s highest honor. The Golden Lion for lifetime achievement places him in the spotlight during the opening week, and true to form, Clooney took the opportunity to discuss more than just his own career.

During his opening day press conference ahead of Wednesday’s ceremony, Clooney addressed a range of topics including Hollywood politics, the state of American journalism, and the ongoing merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Given his long history of activism alongside his acting career, reporters were ready with tough questions beyond just inquiries about his upcoming award.

However, it was his remarks on artificial intelligence that resonated most sharply. When asked about AI’s personal impact on him, Clooney joked that he hopes to avoid appearing in a tampon commercial two decades after his death, a candid remark that highlighted the serious concerns actors have regarding AI’s potential to misuse their likeness long after they are gone.

Clooney didn’t take the topic lightly beyond the humor. He expressed that the film industry is undergoing a genuine revolution, asserting that AI will play a significant role in this transformation, and he believes it could negatively impact the industry in numerous ways.

He specifically pointed to visual effects work, indicating that newcomers in that field will face greater challenges as AI increasingly takes over jobs traditionally performed by human artists. This concern extended to his broader worries about corporate consolidation, where he noted that mergers often lead to significant job losses across the industry.

Clooney’s comments on AI were part of a larger discussion that also addressed the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger directly. He described the situation as complex, admitting uncertainty about its outcome while acknowledging the labor issues tied to such consolidation.

In addition to AI and the merger, Clooney didn’t shy away from discussing American politics, using the term “kakistocracy” to describe his view of the current political landscape, though he expressed optimism that the country will eventually overcome these challenges. He also voiced concerns about media ownership, criticizing the fact that some of the wealthiest individuals now control major outlets like The Washington Post and X.

Clooney’s reflections on journalism were particularly poignant given his own experience directing the 2005 film ‘Good Night, and Good Luck,’ which chronicles journalist Edward R. Murrow’s conflict with Senator Joseph McCarthy. He later adapted this project into a Broadway play that earned him a Tony nomination. He characterized the current state of journalism as precarious, linking his concerns about media consolidation to who wields power over information today.

As Clooney prepares to receive his Golden Lion award later that evening alongside his wife, Amal Clooney, his opening day remarks made it clear that even during a moment of career celebration, he remains committed to addressing the pressing issues reshaping Hollywood and the world beyond.

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