Danny Boyle warns AI could replace journalists

English director and producer Danny Boyle expressed his concerns over the future of journalism amid the growing use of AI. The 83rd Venice Film Festival opened with the world premiere of his film, Ink, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following the ceremony at the Palazzo del Cinema.

During the press conference, the multi-award-winning director was asked whether printed press would survive as the usage of AI and digital media continues to grow. Boyle expressed his concerns regarding the future of journalism, further calling it the greatest pillar of any civilization. He warned that the use of AI can pose a serious threat to the industry, but also questioned whether AI journalists could truly speak the truth (via Deadline).

"The danger with the tech giants and their AI is that they will be able to replace journalism. They’ll be able to have an AI journalist who’s much more efficient, cheaper, etcetera, etcetera, and will that AI journalist speak truth to the power that created it?”

Boyle revealed how one of the last print works in Watford, used as the filming location of Ink, was shut down before they wrapped up the film.

Here's more about it.

Ink director Danny Boyle on the future of journalism

Ink director Danny Boyle has opened up about his concerns over the future of journalism. At the Venice Film Festival, he said that the rise of AI and digital media will affect journalism's future, adding that tech giants can use AI journalists. However, he also questioned whether such AI journalists could really replace authentic journalism, adding whether they could question the power that created it.

Ink is adapted from James Graham's Tony-nominated 2017 stage play. Set in the 1970s, it follows the rise of the UK's tabloid newspaper The Sun under Larry Lamb after he was poached from the Daily Mirror by Rupert Murdoch in 1969. While Jack O'Connell plays newspaper editor Lamb, Guy Pearce portrays the rising media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Meanwhile, Claire Foy stars as Jules Davies.

Boyle produced it alongside Michael Ellenberg, Tracey Seaward, and Tessa Ross. Previously, Ross collaborated with Boyle on Slumdog Millionaire. The executive producers are Ron Halpern, Joe Naftalin, Tonia Davis, Zoe Edwards, Sudie Smyth, James Graham, and Anna Marsh, to name a few.

Netflix will release Ink in the US cinemas on December 11. It will be available to stream on January 8, 2027, on Netflix. Studiocanal will release the film on January 8, 2027, in the UK. Additionally, it will also have a theatrical release in Italy, the UK, Germany, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, the Benelux, and France.

Danny Boyle says Ink was not an easy film to make

At the press conference, Boyle revealed the struggle behind making the biographical drama film, Ink. The Shallow Grave director said that it was not an easy project to get over the line. He added that there were both budget constraints and a constant worry about whether people would relate to it or not (via Deadline).

"We made it with not a lot of money and it wasn’t easy for all sorts of reasons."

Boyle further added,

And then you think nobody’s going to see this, it’s about Britain and it’s about Fleet Street. Nobody knows what Fleet Street is anymore. You say to everybody you’re making a film called Ink. They say, ‘Is it a film about tattoos?'

Danny Boyle expressed gratitude to Alberto Barbera for inviting him to the prestigious Venice Film Festival. He further thanked Barbera for offering him the opportunity to open the Venice Film Festival with his film Ink. Boyle shared how there should be an alliance between film festivals and filmmakers because such opportunities would boost anybody making a movie.

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Also Read: Guy Pearce's first look as Rupert Murdoch in Danny Boyle's Ink teases the rise of Britain's most infamous tabloid

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