Josh Ho "78% Opposed to AI Replacing Actors"

Paradox of the Actor's Existence Amidst AI Technological Advancement

Hong Kong actor and producer Josie Ho has emphasized the unique value of human actors amidst the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Josie Ho shared his views on the impact of AI on the film industry during a press conference for international filmmakers held at the Bucheon City Hall in Gyeonggi-do on July 2, 2026, as part of the '30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN)'.

He agreed that AI could be utilized for limited purposes, such as reshoots due to budget shortages or supplementing specific scenes. However, he drew a clear line regarding the complete replacement of actors, stating, "I am about 78% opposed to that." Premising that "as both an actor and a producer, I understand both sides," Josie Ho said, "There are certain scenes that AI can absolutely never act out." He further emphasized that the film industry must not be consumed by the convenience of technology and must continue to recognize the emotional value that only human actors can express.

Technology is Merely a Tool; The Core is the Fair Valuation of Actors

Josie Ho did not unconditionally reject technology. He pointed out that even in films utilizing AI, the core issue is how to evaluate the labor and value of actors and ensure they receive fair compensation. He stated, "Even in films that use a lot of AI, I am fine with appearing if the actor's value is recognized and fair compensation is provided," adding, "The problem is how to evaluate the value and labor of actors in films that use AI."

Producer Conroy Chang, who attended alongside him, defined AI not as a dominant force over the world, but as a single 'tool.' Mentioning that this year's screening is a film with a strong analog character that pays homage to martial arts and detective dramas, he added that while AI can be a useful means for new creators to save production costs and time, technology must not become the subject of creation.

A Message Delivered Through the Mystery Horror 'The Trash-Picking Exorcist'

The film 'The Trash-Picking Exorcist,' which will have its world premiere at this year's BIFAN, is a mystery horror film that combines Pang Brothers' signature eerie directing with the tension of a detective drama. It tells the story of 'Lan,' an exorcist who communicates with spirits dwelling in discarded objects, and a detective who tracks logical evidence.

Josie Ho revealed that he faced a new acting challenge playing the protagonist 'Lan' in this work. He explained the difficulties of the acting process, saying, "Since the character believes that the souls of people who died in accidents dwell in the objects closest to them, there were many situations where I had to act alone, treating an object rather than a real actor as my scene partner."

Reflecting Hong Kong's Social Reality in a Fantasy Setting

The background of the work reflects the realistic issues faced by Hong Kong society. Josie Ho explained that 'The Trash-Picking Exorcist' uses the format of fantasy and horror to capture social realities, such as the issue of high real estate prices in Hong Kong. He explained that the film was designed so that audiences could contemplate real-world problems through a fictional story.