Actress Demi Moore is one of several notable figures to attend the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. However, while attending, the “I Love Boosters” star sparked controversy by making what has been called a vailed advertisment for artificial intelligence.
This comes after Reese Witherspoon‘s recent controversy, in which she was accused of encouraging others to learn about AI while potentially profiting from it.
Moore took part in the Cannes Film Festival jury press conference on May 12. During it, per Variety, she was asked about her opinions on artificial intelligence and how the movie industry is and could be impacted by it. She began, “Wow, that’s a big question.”
Moore continued, “I think the reality is that to resist — I always feel that against-ness breeds against-ness. AI is here. And so to fight it is to fight something that is a battle that we will lose.”
She added, “So to find ways in which we can work with it, I think, is a more valuable path to take.” The actress then said, “To your question of, are we doing enough to protect ourselves? I don’t know the answer to that. And so my inclination would be to say probably not.”
Moore Says There’s A Beauty To AI
Moore continued her discussion of AI and its impact on Hollywood. Specifically, she noted that “there’s beautiful aspects to being able to utilize” it as a tool. However, she acknowledged that the technology has its limits.
According to her, “The truth is there really isn’t anything to fear because what it can never replace is what true art comes from, which is not the physical, it comes from the soul. It comes from the spirit of each and every one of us sitting here, to each and every one of us who creates every day.”
She added, “And that they can never recreate through something that is technical.”
Fans Aren’t Taking Kindly To The ‘Substance’ Star’s AI Sentiments
Following Moore’s remarks about finding ways to work with AI that went viral, she’s receiving considerable backlash on social media. One person reacted, “What a dumb argument. Just because Demi Moore is here, it doesn’t mean directors need to cast her.”
Someone else said, “She sounds like an investor, not an artist. Entirely out of touch with technology and art. 90s movie stars had it easy and became rich and retreated from caring about the sustainability of the business they helped fuck up.”
A different social media user stated, “Every celebrity that comes out and says this shit is probably investing in it.”
After that, another fan offered a prediction. They said, “Aging actors who know their roles are drying up are going to embrace this idea (after the pitch meeting) of selling their digital likeness to AI so they can continue to make money into retirement. They have no other choice but to screw the rest of the industry.”
Lastly, another concerned social media user wrote, “Gross – ‘againstness breeds againstness’? No, if you stop using AI, block data centers from being built, and make anti-AI regulations, then the slop does in fact go away! I only hear older people afraid of being “left behind” and AI shills using this type of language, by the way.”
Demi Moore Also Advocated For Free Speech
There’s been discussion in Hollywood about whether filmmakers should shy away from expressing political beliefs. This comes as some wonder whether outspoken actors and filmmakers distract from the movies themselves.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Moore was asked about this while at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. In response, she said, “I think part of art is about expression, so if we start censoring ourselves, then we shut down the very core of our creativity, which is, I think, where we can discover truth and answers.”
Demi Moore’s Next Movie Arrives In Theaters This Month
Moore’s comments at Cannes 2026 come ahead of the release of her new film, “I Love Boosters.” Written and directed by Boots Riley, the comedy-adventure film will be released in theaters on May 22. In addition to Moore, it stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Page, Poppy Liu, and more.
Ahead of its release, “I Love Boosters” garnered impressive early reviews. It currently sits at a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 35 reviews. In the movie, Moore portrays a fashion maven who becomes the target of a group of shoplifters, also known as “boosters.”
The film is rated R and is distributed by Neon.
