Oscar-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson has once again spoken her mind — this time about artificial intelligence interfering in creative processes. During her recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Thompson expressed strong disapproval of how AI tools are increasingly encroaching on artistic work, calling it a source of "intense irritation."
Thompson, known for her sharp wit and deep insights into the craft of storytelling, described her frustration with modern writing technology that constantly tries to "assist" her by rewriting or suggesting changes. “I cannot begin to tell you,” she began, clearly exasperated, “the level of annoyance when my Word document asks, ‘Would you like me to rewrite that for you?’ No! I don’t need you to rewrite what I’ve just written!”
For the acclaimed writer, the process of handwriting remains sacred. “I write longhand on a pad — old script, actually — because I believe there is a connection between the brain and the hand,” she said. After finishing her drafts manually, she transfers them to a computer for final edits. However, she admitted that even this simple transition has become a source of irritation due to AI integrations in software programs.
Thompson humorously recounted her recent outburst at her computer: “I just end up shouting, ‘Will you fk off?! Just fk off!’ because it keeps interrupting.” The audience burst into laughter, but her words reflected a deeper concern about the growing dependence on AI in creative industries — where originality and emotion often clash with automation.
When Colbert jokingly suggested she show her Oscar to the computer to assert authority, Thompson quipped, “I don’t think it would care,” a line that perfectly encapsulated her skepticism toward artificial intelligence understanding human value or artistic nuance.
The actor also recalled a past technological disaster while working on her Oscar-winning screenplay Sense and Sensibility. “I came back from the loo to find the whole script turned into hieroglyphs,” she said, still sounding baffled. “It was completely gone — like the computer had done it on purpose.” Despite seeking help from her friend Stephen Fry, she couldn’t recover it properly. “It came out in one long sentence,” she added with mock despair.
Thompson’s candid remarks highlight a growing debate in Hollywood — the role of AI in art, writing, and performance. As her new series Down Cemetery Road premieres on Apple TV, her message is clear: while technology can aid creativity, it should never replace the human heart behind it.
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