Harvey Keitel has warned artificial intelligence cannot replicate the emotional depth of a human performance.

The actor, 87, says the technology has failed to capture the qualities that make actors unique as he voiced concerns about the movie industry's rapid development during an appearance at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Harvey made the remarks while attending the Czech festival for the third time to present a screening of Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets.

Speaking to Variety, Harvey discussed his concerns over AI while revealing he is filming a new independent project written by his wife, Daphna Kastner, and reflected on the importance of cinema at a time of global political division.

Speaking about AI, Harvey said: "Danger is in front of us."

Referring to reports about an audiobook of Homer's The Odyssey narrated using an AI-generated version of Michael Caine's voice, Harvey said: "They used his voice, but there was no emotion in it. They couldn't reproduce Michael Caine's beauty."

He continued: "It's this new industry that's developing where actors are selling their image and their voices, but they can't reproduce their emotional life. In that way, the AI thing failed. I know it could be used for good purposes also, but we're going to have to find good people."

Michael Caine recently licensed his voice to AI company ElevenLabs for its Iconic Voice Marketplace, with the first project using the approved digital recreation being an audiobook of The Odyssey.

Alongside discussing AI, Harvey revealed he is currently filming a new feature written by Daphna.

He said: "My wife wrote a script; she's a writer, director, actress… we're working on it."

Describing the production, Harvey added: "It's sort of guerrilla warfare. It's not a Hollywood film, but it's being done in Hollywood because we live there. We have a lot of college students on the crew, and we'll see where we go."

Asked what still motivates him after decades in the industry, Harvey reflected on the subjects he continues to explore through acting.

He said: "There's so much…"

He continued: "There are so many things to deal with as a human being. My fears, my loves, my desires, my errors, my successes, my having to face death… And you can do that very well through the arts. That's one good way to do it."

Harvey also described film festivals as increasingly significant.

He said: "Festivals are more important today than ever before in my lifetime because of the social situation around the world now."

Speaking about global conflict, he added: "Politics is a disaster. Religions are in conflict with each other. I mean… judging somebody by the religion or the colour of their skin, I can't think of anything more f****** ridiculous, and yet, we are still doing it."

Harvey continued: "There are plenty of new talents who are out of work."

He said: "Let's face it, the arts are a very different field to get involved in, and that's when we need it the most. Politics is not doing it for us. Religion, and I hope you understand what I mean, is not doing it for us. Religions are in conflict. Everybody's killing each other."

Quoting the Greek philosopher Aristotle, Harvey concluded: "It takes more than words to change a culture. To change a person, it takes aesthetic force. The force of the arts."

His comments come as artificial intelligence continues to dominate debate across the film industry following the Hollywood strikes, with performers and studios continuing to negotiate how actors' voices and likenesses can be used.