Jonathan Nolan Outlines His Approach to AI in Creative Work

Jonathan Nolan, known for his work on Amazon Prime’s Fallout and HBO’s Westworld, has described his views on artificial intelligence in creative fields. His statements focus on the potential uses and boundaries of AI in filmmaking and writing.

Nolan stated that AI tools might help new filmmakers gain access to the industry, but he does not plan to use AI in his own scriptwriting. He explained that while AI can support research tasks, he draws a clear line at employing it for creative writing activities.

He described the current period of AI development as “frothy,” indicating skepticism about the attention and excitement surrounding the technology. Nolan also expressed concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content, especially when it comes to video.

In his comments, Nolan said that AI-generated videos should be visibly watermarked. He stated this measure is necessary to prevent the creation of fake footage that could be mistaken for real images of public figures.

What the numbers show

• Nolan’s comments on AI were published by WIRED in February 2026
• He described AI’s use in screenwriting as “crossing the Rubicon” in a May 2025 Semafor interview
• Nolan is credited as executive producer of Fallout and co-creator of Westworld

According to Nolan, AI can be useful for searching and identifying details in large volumes of source material. He stated that these research functions are helpful, but he does not support using AI for drafting or editing scripts.

Nolan said that while AI might lower barriers for those entering the film industry, he personally chooses not to integrate it into his own creative workflow. He emphasized that the distinction between research assistance and creative authorship is important in his practice.

In interviews, Nolan has used the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” to describe the use of AI for writing or providing notes on screenplays. He indicated that this step would represent a fundamental change in the creative process, which he does not support for his own projects.

He also stated that visible watermarks on AI-generated video are necessary to prevent misuse, such as the creation of realistic but false footage involving public individuals. Nolan’s comments reflect ongoing discussions about the role and regulation of AI in media production.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.