Director Boots Riley publicly responded to Martin Scorsese's involvement with AI company Black Forest Labs, suggesting the filmmaker accepted an advisory position primarily for financial reasons rather than genuine belief in the technology.
According to reports, Scorsese was appointed in 2025 as a partner and adviser to Black Forest Labs, a German-based company specializing in text-to-image generative AI. Scorsese has also defended his use of AI-generated storyboards, stating that the technology allows him to communicate his creative vision to cast and crew more immediately and efficiently.
Riley's reaction came swiftly after the announcement. The director speculated that Scorsese joined the company to secure financial stability for his family, particularly given the filmmaker's age and stage of career. Riley further suggested that Scorsese may not genuinely care about the partnership because he believes artificial intelligence will ultimately prove unsuccessful as a technology.
Riley's criticism reflects his broader stance on industry issues and capitalism. The 55-year-old filmmaker, who describes himself as a communist rather than simply anti-capitalist, has built a career examining how economic systems affect people and artists. His work spans from his early involvement with The Coup, a subversive hip-hop group, through films like "Sorry to Bother You," which critiques telemarketing predation, to his recent film "I Love Boosters," which uses magical realism to explore themes of resistance and class struggle.
When discussing his approach to filmmaking, Riley emphasizes that style and content cannot be separated. He stated that while he could simply explain ideas directly to audiences, he prefers to create emotional and visceral reactions that prompt people to think about concepts differently. This philosophy extends beyond aesthetics to his public advocacy positions, including support for Palestinian freedom and solidarity with other Hollywood figures who have taken similar stances.
Riley's comments about Scorsese come amid broader industry debate over AI's role in creative fields. Scorsese's partnership triggered backlash from other filmmakers who view his involvement as potentially harmful to artists and workers in the industry. Critics argue he is undermining the broader artistic community by lending credibility to and investing in AI technology.
The contrast between Riley and Scorsese illustrates a significant divide among veteran filmmakers regarding artificial intelligence. Where Scorsese sees creative potential in AI-generated storyboards and values the efficiency gains, Riley views such partnerships as emblematic of how capitalism exploits and displaces workers, even in creative industries. For Riley, the decision represents a choice that prioritizes commercial interests over artistic principles and worker welfare, regardless of Scorsese's personal financial motivations or skepticism about the technology's long-term viability.