rhea seehorn

apple’s ‌”Pluribus” Creators Confront the AI Threat to Storytelling

Vince Gilligan, creator of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call⁣ Saul,” and Rhea seehorn, star of⁢ the latter,​ are tackling​ the looming influence of artificial intelligence on creative⁢ content with their⁢ new Apple ​TV+ ⁣series, “Pluribus.” The show, which received a two-season order, explores a world where AI generates personalized television, prompting‌ Gilligan and Seehorn to openly question ⁤the future of authentic storytelling.

The‍ project arrives as video-generating software like OpenAI’s Sora demonstrates the increasing capability ⁢of AI to produce mainstream content.Gilligan⁤ frames the central dilemma as a choice: “Do you wont to be fed⁣ a diet of crap? Is there enough calories in a diet of crap to keep you ​alive? The answer is yeah, probably. You could eat it.” this concern underscores a broader anxiety within the ⁢entertainment industry⁤ about the potential devaluation of human creativity in the face of⁣ rapidly advancing ⁢AI technology, impacting writers, actors, and ultimately, the audience experience.

Gilligan describes AI-generated content as “like a cow chewing its cud – an endlessly regurgitated ⁣loop of nonsense,” expressing skepticism about effective U.S. ‌regulation due to ‍competition with​ China. He jokingly attributes the situation to Silicon Valley,​ stating, “Thank you,‍ Silicon Valley! Yet again, you’ve fucked up the world.”

Seehorn offers ‍a counterpoint, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human experience in art. While acknowledging AI’s ability to mimic artistic styles – “you can prompt an AI to paint you a Picasso” – she asserts that the emotional depth and meaning behind art stem ‌from the human process‍ of creation. “Even if a computer could make you think there was impasto brushwork there, the reason the painting is moving is because of‌ the human⁢ experience that went into transferring ‌that art onto the canvas,” she explained.”That matters to me. I think it⁤ matters to most peopel.”

Despite having a preliminary ‌idea for the series’ conclusion,Gilligan maintains ‌a flexible approach to the⁣ writers’ room. “One​ of the most vital things I can do…is not ⁤be too⁤ precious about the ideas.⁢ If we come up with a better way to end this thing, we will.”

Acknowledging ⁤the unpredictable nature‌ of the current television landscape, Gilligan concedes that⁤ “Pluribus” could be an “expensive experiment that never quite catches on.” However, given his established success, he anticipates a future ⁢where he and Seehorn will reflect on the project⁣ with a knowing laugh.