Sandra Bullock Embraces AI in Hollywood: 'We Have to Make It Our Friend'

Sandra Bullock, the actress best known for her role in The Net—where she made cinema’s first DoorDash order—has once again turned her attention to the allure of Silicon Valley. Speaking at the CNBC Changemakers summit, Bullock joined Warner Bros. Pictures co-chair and CEO Pam Abdy for a joint interview where the topic of AI-generated trailers for a potential Practical Magic 2 took center stage.

Reports indicated that studios had previously monetized AI-generated trailers on platforms like YouTube, though the practice was halted after YouTube’s crackdown. Abdy described the trend as “not great, but it’s also exciting,” adding, “That means that there’s a desire for it, and that means that people want to come and play with the movie.”

Bullock echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the potential pitfalls of AI while emphasizing its inevitability. “It’s here. We have to observe it. We have to understand it. We have to lean into it,” she stated. “We have to use it in a really constructive and creative way, make it our friend.” Bullock also warned of the technology’s darker applications, urging caution: “We have to be incredibly cautious because there are people who will use it for evil and not good.”

AI’s Growing Influence in Hollywood

AI’s normalization in Hollywood is accelerating, particularly among high-profile figures. Ben Affleck recently revealed he owned an AI company, which he sold to Netflix to help produce cheaper films. His brother, Casey Affleck, is currently working on an AI-driven project with Gal Gadot and director Doug Liman, exploring the mysterious creator of Bitcoin.

Steven Soderbergh, an Academy Award-winning director, also announced that his upcoming films would feature “a lot of AI.” Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon, founder of the Oscar-winning book club, took to Instagram to declare it was “TIME” for people to learn AI, stating, “the revolution has begun.” Her call to action sparked a wave of support, including from Kerry Washington, who simply replied, “THIS,” and Ali Larter, who enthusiastically wrote, “Yes yes yes!”

Witherspoon, who has long been an advocate for AI adoption, has repeatedly urged women to embrace the technology. In 2022, she announced her company, Hello Sunshine, would explore turning NFTs into movies and TV shows. By 2024, she emphasized that AI was “here to stay,” and in 2025, she doubled down, calling it “so, so important” for women to get involved. Her timing has raised eyebrows, particularly as major AI companies face financial instability—OpenAI shuttered its Hollywood-focused tool, Sora, while Oracle laid off 30,000 employees due to AI spending cuts.

“It’s here. We have to observe it. We have to understand it. We have to lean into it. We have to use it in a really constructive and creative way, make it our friend.”
— Sandra Bullock at the CNBC Changemakers summit