Artificial Intelligence

Mark Wahlberg Discusses AI in Film and Digital Legacy

Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, actor and angel investor Mark Wahlberg shared his perspective on how artificial intelligence can be utilized responsibly in the entertainment industry.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 18, 2026 · Updated: October 18, 2026 · 3 min read

Mark Wahlberg Discusses AI in Film and Digital Legacy — Image: TechCrunch

Embracing AI as an Enhancement Tool

Even as Hollywood remains deeply divided over the integration of artificial intelligence in entertainment, actor and director Mark Wahlberg believes the technology has a legitimate place in the industry provided it is utilized correctly. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, the entrepreneur and angel investor outlined his philosophy on leveraging AI in modern cinema, emphasizing that it should serve as a tool to support human creativity.

Wahlberg explained that the technology should specifically focus on enhancement rather than total automation. He noted that he plans to potentially utilize AI to improve stadium settings and background elements in his upcoming Pete Rose biopic, in which he is set to star in the title role.

The actor drew a firm line against bypassing human talent or traditional writing processes entirely. He stated that using an automated system to generate a script and make a movie without real actors is not the right approach, affirming that story-driven content must remain central to the craft.

Prioritizing Storytelling Over Effects

Reflecting on his extensive career in major motion pictures, Wahlberg addressed the evolution of technology within media and entertainment. He recalled working on big effects-driven movies during industry milestones like the release of the first Jurassic Park or The Perfect Storm, which featured groundbreaking computer-generated imagery for their time.

Despite his experience with blockbuster spectacles, Wahlberg expressed that he is currently less passionate about purely effects-driven projects compared to traditional, narrative-focused storytelling. He highlighted that pushing the boundaries of cinematic visuals is difficult, reinforcing his preference for meaningful scripts and grounded performances.

Openness to Digital Likeness and the CAA Vault

During his appearance, TechCrunch Editor-in-Chief Connie Loizos asked Wahlberg whether he had ever visited the CAA Vault, a specialized Creative Artists Agency facility that employs advanced scanning technology to capture actors' faces, bodies, movements, and voices for digital replica creation.

Although Wahlberg confirmed he had not yet visited the facility, he expressed that he would be entirely open to exploring the concept. He reasoned that entrusting his digital likeness to his children or grandchildren could offer a unique way to keep his image active in future projects.

“I would be interested because I think in the future, if that’s where things go, it would be cool that my children or my grandchildren could be in charge of my likeness and my image, and hopefully put me in some good movies,” Wahlberg said, adding that it will be fascinating to monitor how the landscape evolves.

Continuing Legacies Through AI Replicas

Looking further ahead into the potential applications of artificial intelligence, Wahlberg discussed the possibility of his likeness sustaining projects long after his active involvement or lifetime concludes. Specifically, he addressed his upcoming animated series, Ted, noting he would not be opposed to the show continuing for decades using an AI version of his likeness.

He emphasized that if audiences genuinely want to see a series continue and an audience demand exists, viewers should be entitled to enjoy the content they desire. By drawing parallels to childhood favorites that people often wish could persist in their daily lives, Wahlberg illustrated a pragmatic view of how digital clones might serve future entertainment consumers.