The Oscar AI Controversies Spark Further Discussions On AI In The Workplace

It’s no shock to read another headline on the ever-advancing technology that is AI; it has caused much controversy over recent years.

However, the use of it in the workplace has become even more topical due it being revealed that the 2025 Oscar contender ‘The Brutalist,’ used artificial intelligence. The film’s editor, Dávid Jancsó, revealed in an interview that an AI tool was used to enhance Adrian Brody and Felicity Jones’ Hungarian accents, with the rationale being they are the hardest accents to master. He also explained that AI was used in the film’s final scenes to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth. Whilst, admittedly, this controversy has arguably been blown out of proportion by the media, it has led to the Academy discussing the future of its submission requirements and whether contenders should have to disclose their use of AI, in whatever capacity.

So, if the film industry is to have mandatory disclosure of AI tools in the spirit of fairness and public interest, where does this leave other industries, such as corporate companies’ workplaces?

It was reported earlier this month by the BBC that employees are increasingly using AI software without permission from their employer – known as ‘shadow AI.’ According to a survey, over half of desk/computer workers use personal AI tools (that is a crazy statistic to me!). Whilst it may seem harmless on the face of it, many employees do not know the risks these tool carry. For example, if client/supplier/company information is entered into an AI software, such as ChatGPT, research shows that 30% of all information entered is then recycled and re-used in future prompts. It’s therefore valid for employer’s to be concerned about their data being stored within software they have no control over.

However, it cannot be denied that there are positives of AI. For example, it can be a timesaving and cost-saving tool, like how in Dune: Part 2 (another Oscar contender) AI was used to enhance software that makes the Fremen’s eyes blue, saving hours of work required to manually edit every character’s eyes. Whilst the film industry is rarely compared to the 9-5 desk workers, the message surrounding AI transcends to both workplaces: it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell what work has been created or adapted by AI, presenting the question: how do you manage AI in the workplace?

The simple fact is: AI is being used in every industry and has a growing presence, especially among younger workers. We therefore strongly advise employers to do the following:

• Review your existing AI in the Workplace Policy (or contact us to draft one if you do not have one already!) and ensure staff are aware of their obligations under it.
• Consider creating your own internal AI tools that allow your employee’s to use AI safely and reduced potential exposure of trade secrets and data breaches.
• Run AI trainings session for all levels of management and employees to understand these tools better and the expectations of their use (if any). This way, their use can be managed – we can help with this sort of training.
• Check out our FREE AI Guide AI Employment Guide
• Or call us for a FREE initial chat if you have any questions.