Acclaimed actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson has expressed sharp criticism toward artificial intelligence tools that intervene in the writing process. During a recent television appearance, Thompson described feeling intense frustration when Microsoft’s Copilot feature repeatedly offered to rewrite her work.
Thompson, known for her Oscar-winning adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility,” explained her preference for writing scripts by hand, emphasizing the important connection between physical writing and creative thought. She expressed irritation when her word processing software began suggesting AI-powered revisions to her text.
The actress recounted telling the program, “I don’t need you to rewrite what I’ve just written!” adding that such interruptions disrupt her creative flow.
This isn’t Thompson’s first challenging experience with technology. She recalled an incident while completing the “Sense and Sensibility” script when her computer unexpectedly transformed the entire document into unreadable symbols, requiring extensive recovery efforts that resulted in the text returning as one continuous sentence.
Thompson has consistently advocated for authenticity in creative work. At a previous public appearance, she emphasized that genuine storytelling resonates more deeply with audiences than formulaic approaches. She argued that writing focused on raw honesty creates more meaningful connections with viewers.
The entertainment industry continues to grapple with the expanding role of AI. Another prominent filmmaker recently stated they would “rather die” than incorporate generative AI into their creative process, echoing similar concerns about technology’s place in artistic expression.
Thompson currently appears in a new television detective series and recently received critical praise for her performance in a thriller about a widow confronting kidnappers.
