Tom Cruise delivered an impassioned six-minute defence of human artistry in filmmaking at a BAFTA event in London, earning spontaneous applause from the audience. Speaking on how artificial intelligence might disrupt cinema, the actor emphasised the irreplaceable value of human craft and theatrical experience, declaring "there is nothing like human." His comments highlight the ongoing industry debate about AI's role in filmmaking and reflect broader concerns raised during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA negotiations, in which Cruise advocated for actor protections against the technology.

Cruise pointed to the commercial success of summer blockbusters and strong engagement from younger audiences as evidence that "people want human experience" and crave authentic, real storytelling. He underscored his commitment to preserving craftsmanship in the industry, stating that he does not wish to see skilled workers who dedicate their careers to filmmaking displaced. The remarks were made during a BAFTA: Life in Pictures event staged to promote his forthcoming film Digger, scheduled for theatrical release on 2 October, which casts him as an oil baron attempting to prevent an environmental catastrophe.