Charlie Brooker, the creator of the science-fiction dystopian anthology series Black Mirror, recently experimented with generative AI software ChatGPT to generate a script for a hypothetical episode. While the software initially showed promise, upon closer inspection, Brooker found it lacking in originality and simply a combination of synopses from previous Black Mirror episodes. However, this experience taught him to break away from the repetitive tropes that have become prevalent in the series and experiment with new concepts.
Brooker’s experimentation with ChatGPT highlights the growing concern among creatives about the future of many industries with the advent of generative AI software. Many individuals have experimented with this software to create AI-generated voices and scripts, but it has raised concerns about the potential impact on the livelihood of writers, artists, and actors. The Writer’s Guild of America has even proposed regulatory measures and restrictions on the use of generative writing software like ChatGPT in the writing process, a move that networks and studios are reluctant to discuss.
Black Mirror has been praised for its commentaries on rising trends and technologies over the last decade. Brooker’s experience with ChatGPT highlights the potential impact that generative AI software could have on the industry, and the need for creatives to break away from the repetitive tropes that may arise from the use of such software. As Black Mirror’s latest season is set to release on June 16, fans are excited to see how Brooker has shaken up the series to fascinate and terrify in new ways.
