Oscar-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan has described growing skepticism toward artificial intelligence, particularly among young people, as “pretty encouraging,” warning that the technology could conceal darker consequences.

Nolan made the comments while responding to a question from interviewer Hugo Travers, who publishes on YouTube under the name HugoDécrypte.

The discussion focused on the parallels between AI and the legendary Trojan horse, which features prominently in Nolan’s new film, The Odyssey.

The Trojan horse was presented as a gift to the people of Troy but concealed Greek soldiers who later attacked the city. Travers asked Nolan whether AI could similarly be welcomed into people’s daily lives before eventually becoming “something else and something darker.”

The filmmaker’s comments come amid growing debate over the rapid development and adoption of AI, with concerns ranging from job displacement and misinformation to privacy and the technology’s broader impact on society.

Nolan said the skepticism being expressed toward AI, particularly by younger people, was encouraging, suggesting that public caution could play an important role in shaping how the technology develops.

Nolan said, “I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside.” He later described the technology as “a transparent horse, it’s made of glass.”

“I’ve never seen a technology advancing so rapidly [that’s been] so completely rejected by the public,” he said. “Everybody’s suspicion of it is so extreme, particularly young people. The reaction to AI videos online and people my children’s age immediately calling it ‘AI slop’ and coining that term and just putting it in a box.”

Nolan described such caution as “a very healthy skepticism,” arguing that while technology can offer significant benefits, it should not be embraced without scrutiny.

He added that the motives of the people developing and offering new technologies should also be examined critically, saying this approach would help society get the most out of innovation rather than relying on “blind faith that everything’s going to be great.”

Nolan did not elaborate on the specific dangers he associates with AI.

However, the technology has become an increasing concern in Hollywood and was a major issue during the 2023 strikes by writers and actors, who raised concerns about AI’s potential impact on creative work.