Emily Blunt has revealed that she persuaded director Steven Spielberg not to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create her character's alien voice in the sci-fi film Disclosure Day, opting instead to record the sounds herself. Speaking during the film's press tour, Blunt told Entertainment Tonight that Spielberg offered her a choice between using AI-generated effects and creating the vocalisations herself.
"He said, 'You know, we could do it with AI, or you could do it.' And I was like, 'I feel confident I can make some weird noises,'" Blunt said. The actor said she spent time experimenting with different sounds and sending recordings to Spielberg as they developed the character's voice.
"Clicking, humming, doing weird Barry White sort of low singing mixed with clicking with Morse code sounds. I just tried everything. We sort of threw the kitchen sink at it, and I think he wanted it to sound mathematical and not too terrifying," Blunt added.
According to Blunt, the final alien voice heard in Disclosure Day is made up of multiple sounds she recorded in a sound booth and later layered together.
How Emily Blunt has previously voiced concerns about AI
Blunt's choice to manually create the voice aligns with her previous concerns about artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. The actor spoke about the news surrounding AI actor Tilly Norwood in a September 2025 interview with Variety and voiced worries about technology's impact on performers.
"That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don't do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection," Blunt told Variety. She also discussed AI during an interview with USA Today in April, describing it as "a very scary bubble to poke your head inside."
"My children don't go online, and they're young still. You're kind of holding on to them by their ankles as they get older and want more independence. At some point, I'm sure they'll want a phone — they'd probably like one now, and they're not going to get one. It's like having a drug dealer in your house that doesn't pay rent or actually give you any of the good stuff," Blunt noted.
Blunt's comments come as the entertainment industry continues to debate the role of artificial intelligence in film and television production. While some studios and creators have explored AI tools to enhance production processes, critics warn the technology could jeopardise jobs, use performers' voices or likenesses without authorisation and diminish the importance of human creativity in filmmaking.
Several actors and musicians have also taken steps to protect their identities. The report notes that actor Matthew McConaughey has secured trademarks to protect his likeness and well-known phrases, while singers Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie have filed trademark applications related to their likenesses.
Disclosure Day, which was released last week, stars Blunt alongside Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Eve Hewson.
