Trending Now - Soderbergh Defends AI Use in Controversial Lennon Documentary

WHO:

Fast Company - Steven Soderbergh is the director of the documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview."

Fast Company - John Lennon and Yoko Ono are the subjects of the documentary.

AP - Soderbergh describes himself as a "whistle blower" regarding the use of AI in filmmaking.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview" debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fast Company - The film uses AI-generated imagery for about 10% of its content.

AP - Soderbergh stated, "I feel like I owe people the best version of whatever art I’m trying to make and total transparency about how I’m doing it."

AP - Soderbergh acknowledged that he expected a strong response to his use of AI in the film.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The documentary features an interview conducted in New York's Dakota Apartments.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The interview with Lennon and Ono took place on December 8, 1980.

AP - Soderbergh's film is part of an ongoing conversation about the use of AI in filmmaking.

WHY:

Fast Company - Soderbergh used AI to visualize sections of the film where the conversation became more philosophical due to time and budget constraints.

AP - Soderbergh believes transparency is important in the creative context, stating, "We’re not aware of the extent that this is being used and used to manipulate us."

HOW:

Fast Company - Soderbergh accepted an offer to use Meta's artificial intelligence software to create visual content for the film.

AP - Soderbergh described his prompts for the AI as "circles of light that come out of nowhere" and "a black rose that turns into a Busby Berkeley thing."

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 17:44 UTC)

Steven Soderbergh has directed a new documentary titled "John Lennon: The Last Interview," which features John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and it recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film incorporates AI-generated imagery for about ten percent of its content, a choice Soderbergh made to visualize more philosophical sections of the conversation, which took place in New York's Dakota Apartments on December 8, 1980. Soderbergh, who describes himself as a "whistle blower" regarding AI in filmmaking, emphasizes the importance of transparency in his work, stating, "I feel like I owe people the best version of whatever art I’m trying to make and total transparency about how I’m doing it."