Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has delivered a scathing critique of the artificial intelligence industry and its leaders, drawing parallels between Silicon Valley tech executives and the infamous character Victor Frankenstein from Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel. In a revealing interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” podcast, del Toro explained how his latest film adaptation of “Frankenstein” deliberately mirrors the tech industry’s approach to AI development.
The Oscar-winning director stated that he intentionally crafted Victor Frankenstein’s character to reflect what he sees as the arrogance and recklessness of modern tech bros. “He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences, you know? And I think we have to take a pause and consider where we’re going,” del Toro explained, drawing a direct line between the 19th-century scientist’s hubris and today’s AI developers.
Del Toro’s criticism comes as the AI market experiences explosive growth, with UN Trade and Development estimating the industry will reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. The rapid advancement of AI technology, particularly through accessible models like ChatGPT from OpenAI, has forced tech giants including Google and Microsoft to accelerate their own AI initiatives to remain competitive.
The 61-year-old filmmaker made his personal stance on AI crystal clear, stating he has zero interest in incorporating generative AI into his creative work. “AI, particularly generative AI, I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested,” del Toro declared. “I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak.” When asked about his position on AI via email, his response was even more emphatic: “I’d rather die.”
Del Toro’s concerns echo broader anxieties about AI’s impact on society, including its effects on employment, environmental sustainability, human connection, and privacy. Even some within the AI industry, such as Meta Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun, have acknowledged the need for clear safety guardrails as the technology scales. Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” debuted in select theaters on October 17 and will premiere on Netflix on November 7, offering audiences a timely allegory about the dangers of unchecked technological ambition.
Key Quotes
I did want to have the arrogance of Victor be similar in some ways to the tech bros. He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences, you know? And I think we have to take a pause and consider where we’re going.
Guillermo del Toro explained his creative vision for the Frankenstein character during an NPR interview, explicitly connecting the fictional scientist’s recklessness to modern Silicon Valley executives developing AI without adequate consideration of consequences.
AI, particularly generative AI, I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak.
Del Toro made his uncompromising stance on AI clear, emphasizing his complete rejection of the technology in his creative process and expressing his intention to avoid it for the remainder of his career.
I’d rather die.
When asked via email about his stance on AI, del Toro provided this stark three-word response, underscoring the intensity of his opposition to artificial intelligence technology.
Our Take
Del Toro’s critique represents a significant voice in the growing cultural backlash against unchecked AI development. His use of Frankenstein as an allegory is particularly apt—Shelley’s novel has long been interpreted as a cautionary tale about scientific hubris and the dangers of creating without considering ethical implications. The timing of his film’s release coincides with increasing public scrutiny of AI companies and their rapid deployment of powerful technologies. Del Toro’s position as a respected creative voice adds weight to concerns that AI development is prioritizing speed and profit over safety and societal impact. His comparison of tech executives to Frankenstein challenges the industry’s narrative of inevitable progress, suggesting instead a pattern of reckless innovation that could have devastating consequences.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/guillermo-del-toro-frankenstein-tech-bros-ai-industry-2025-10