Guillermo Del Toro Compares ‘Frankenstein’ Character to Tech Bros

Although “Frankenstein” is a fictional gothic novel, director Guillermo del Toro took inspiration from the real world of Silicon Valley for his version.

During an interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” podcast, del Toro said he wanted the film’s main character — Victor Frankenstein — to reflect the tech brothers. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” published in 1818, tells the story of a scientist who assembles a creature from corpses and brings it to life.

“I wanted Victor’s arrogance to resemble that of the tech brothers in some ways,” del Toro said. “He’s a little blind, he creates something without considering the consequences, you know? And I think we need to pause and think about where we’re going.”

The tech industry has gone all-in on AI, which has advanced rapidly in recent years. Startups like OpenAI have helped make technology more accessible with models like ChatGPT, forcing traditional companies like Google and Microsoft to catch up. In April, the UN Trade and Development estimated that the AI ​​market would reach $4.8 trillion by 2033.

Despite the tech industry’s enthusiasm for AI, some critics have expressed concerns about its impact on employment, the environment, human relations and privacy, among other things. Some people, including Yann LeCun, chief AI scientist at Meta, have said the technology needs clear security guardrails as it evolves.

During the interview, del Toro denounced AI. He said he wasn’t interested in integrating technology into his work.

“AI, especially generative AI, is not of interest to me and never will be,” del Toro said. “I’m 61 years old and I’m hoping I can not use it at all until I croak. I really don’t. The other day someone wrote me an email, ‘What’s your position on AI?’ And my response was very short. I said, ‘I’d rather die.'”

A rep for Del Toro told Business Insider he had no further comment.

“Frankenstein” was released in select theaters on October 17. The film will premiere on Netflix on November 7.