Aaron Sorkin on why he’s optimistic about AI: ‘I don’t think it’s going to work’

Aaron Sorkin is surprisingly upbeat about AI.

It’s mostly because he doesn’t think it’ll make good art.

During an interview with Esquire’s “What I’ve Learned” podcast, released on Wednesday, the “West Wing” and “The Social Network” creator responded to a question about technology in Hollywood. “I have a very optimistic view of our future with AI,” the award-winning writer answered. “And here’s why: I don’t think it’s going to work.” He recalled seeing an abstract painting at a party.

When its owner revealed that it was computer-generated, he said the art lost its emotional connection. “I was impressed by the technology that could do that,” Sorkin said. “But whatever I was feeling about this painting was gone.” He said he believes the same lack of emotional, human connection would apply to AI-generated films.

He also pointed to violent video games with highly realistic avatars, and said players “don’t have any emotional connection to the people that they’re shooting at all.” The interview comes as Sorkin’s next film, “The Social Reckoning” — a follow-up to his 2010 movie about Facebook’s rise — is scheduled to hit theaters on October 9.

His latest movie centers on Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, and the internal documents behind The Wall Street Journal’s “Facebook Files” investigation.

Representatives for Sorkin didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.