Martin Scorsese's recent involvement with artificial intelligence technology has sparked controversy within the film industry. The acclaimed director, known for his decades-long career, was named a partner and adviser in 2025 to Black Forest Labs, a German company specializing in text-to-image generative AI. Scorsese has embraced the technology as a tool to aid the creative process, particularly for generating storyboards.

In a statement, Scorsese described his interest in the convergence of technology and storytelling, emphasizing the potential to expand creativity and enhance audience experiences. He noted that cinema, being a relatively young medium at around 125 years old, must remain adaptable to new methods and innovations. For seven decades, Scorsese personally created his own storyboards to help translate his vision to cast and crew, but he acknowledged the challenges of visually communicating complex ideas. He said the AI tool allows him to share his concepts more clearly and efficiently, speeding up the pre-production process without compromising quality.

However, the director’s endorsement of AI-generated storyboards drew sharp criticism from some artists and filmmakers. Karla Ortiz, a concept artist who has contributed to major Marvel productions including "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Endgame," expressed her disapproval on social media, accusing Scorsese of dismissing the contributions of storyboard artists he has worked with over the years. Samuel Deats, director of the animated series "Castlevania," also condemned the use of AI, arguing that relying on technology built on the work of countless artists showed a lack of respect for creative peers.

Despite the backlash, Scorsese’s use of AI aligns with a growing number of film professionals adopting similar technologies. Steven Soderbergh recently incorporated AI-generated sequences into his documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview," while Gareth Edwards, director of "Jurassic World Rebirth," praised AI’s usefulness in the filmmaking process. Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, defended the decision to screen "Dreams of Violets," an entirely AI-generated film about Iranian protesters, describing it as timely and significant.

Scorsese clarified that he does not intend to employ AI-generated images in finished films but sees the technology primarily as a way to streamline storyboarding and pre-production. He highlighted the cost-saving benefits of faster visual communication during early stages of filmmaking, emphasizing that the creative integrity and craftsmanship remain intact despite the use of AI tools.