Guillermo del Toro says AI art is a ‘prelude to fascism’

Guillermo del Toro isn’t holding back in his criticism of AI art, arguing its proliferation is a “prelude to fascism”.

The Frankenstein and Pan’s Labyrinth director came out swinging against generative AI programs once again, claiming it is setting the precedent that art is “not important”.

Speaking at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the 61-year-old urged young creatives to keep making art, saying it is more important than ever.

“Be kind, be involved, believe in your art,” he told Variety. “At a time when people tell you art is not important, that is always the prelude to fascism.

“When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you a f****** app can do art you say, if it’s that important, why the f*** do they want it so bad? The answer is because they think they can debase everything that makes us a little better, a little more human. And that, in my book, and in my life, includes monsters.”

Receiving the Directing Award at Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch on Sunday (4 January), del Toro added during his acceptance speech: “Sometimes the world gets so complicated, you can only explain it with the power of monsters. We are in a time like that right now.”

Guillermo del Toro says he would ‘rather die’ than use AI

The director, know for his analytical films on the beauty of monsters, is a vocal opponent to generative AI programs, which use a form of machine learning to create pictures, videos, music, or other forms of media.

In October 2025, he told NPR he would “rather die” than use AI programs, particularly generative AI, adding he hopes to “remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak”.

“The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I’d rather die.'”

He explained his belief that “natural stupidity” has led to the fundamental mishandling of the technology and is pushing “most of the world’s worst features”.

Later during the Palm Springs International Film Festival, del Toro emphasised that ambition should be a key part of the creative process rather than technological triumphs.

“It’s not just the size of the screens, it’s the size of the idea,” he said. “Ambition includes failure – it’s right next door to success. There are no numbers on the door. You’re going to knock on that door, and it’s going to open, and it’s either a supermodel of your dreams or your mom in curlers.”