What We Know About Mark Wahlberg's Comments on AI in Film

Mark Wahlberg says artificial intelligence has a place in filmmaking only if it is used "to enhance what you're doing" rather than to replace actors or generate finished scripts, the actor told TechCrunch Editor-in-Chief Connie Loizos on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt on Oct. 16, 2026. The actor, director and angel investor also said he would be open to an AI likeness of himself carrying on his work after he is no longer able to perform.

What did Wahlberg say is the "right way" to use AI in film?

Wahlberg drew a line between AI as a production tool and AI as a replacement for filmmaking craft. "I don't think you should just, you know, put an idea into ChatGPT and it puts out a script, and then you should go make that and not use real actors," he said, according to TechCrunch. "But if you can use it to enhance what you're doing, I'm all for that."

How does he plan to use AI in the Pete Rose biopic?

Wahlberg is set to star in the title role of an upcoming Pete Rose biopic, which he described as "a fairly expensive movie." He said the production is discussing AI for environmental work rather than performance replacement: "We're talking about utilizing [AI] to enhance the stadium setting, things of that nature."

What is the CAA Vault, and has Wahlberg used it?

Loizos asked whether Wahlberg had visited the CAA Vault, a Creative Artists Agency facility where actors can scan their bodies, faces, movements and voices to build AI replicas. Wahlberg said he had not, but would consider it. "I think in the future, if that's where things go, it would be cool that my children or my grandchildren could be in charge of my likeness and my image, and hopefully put me in some good movies," he said. "It'll be interesting to see where things go."

Would he let an AI version of himself continue "Ted"?

Wahlberg also voices the title character in an upcoming animated "Ted" series. Asked about the show continuing for decades with an AI version of his likeness, he said he would not oppose it. "I think it's cool if I'm no longer able to do it or don't exist, and if it could continue and people want to see it, I think it'd be interesting to see where things go," he said, adding, "there's certain things from my childhood that I wish still existed and were still a part of my life."

Does he still want effects-driven blockbusters?

Wahlberg pointed to his own film history to explain why he is less drawn to pure spectacle now. "I've done big, effects-driven movies," he said. "I think I was in that kind of sweet spot when the first Jurassic Park was made, or when Perfect Storm came out, and you had that wave, the 100-foot wave that was in the trailer. Those are cutting-edge moments in technology with computer-generated images. Now, I think it's hard to do that, so I'm not so passionate about effects-driven movies per se, as opposed to real storytelling."

Two reference points from the interview:

• The comments were made on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt on Oct. 16, 2026.
• Wahlberg cited the 100-foot wave from the "Perfect Storm" trailer as an example of CGI he considers a past high-water mark.