Tim Burton

The gothic film director was vocal about about the impact of AI on his artistry, describing having his distinctive style cloned as equally disturbing and soul sucking.

He told the Independent: “They had AI do my versions of Disney characters! I can’t describe the feeling it gives you. It reminded me of when other cultures say, ‘Don’t take my picture because it is taking away your soul.’”

Burton, who saw AI-generated renditions including a black-clad Sleeping Beauty, a haunted-forest Pocahontas, and a ghoulish Snow White, acknowledged some were “very good.” Yet he emphasised the unsettling nature of seeing his own creativity imitated.

He said: “What it does is it sucks something from you. It takes something from your soul or psyche; that is very disturbing, especially if it has to do with you. It’s like a robot taking your humanity, your soul.”