Welcome to the 227th episode of TV’s Top 5, the Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast! In this edition, hosts Lesley Goldberg and Daniel Fienberg are joined by Simon Rich, the creator of the former FXX comedy Man Seeking Woman and TBS anthology Miracle Workers. Rich is not only a successful TV writer but also a published novelist and former writer for Saturday Night Live. In the podcast, he discusses his recent opinion piece for Time titled “I’m a Screenwriter. These AI Jokes Give Me Nightmares”, as well as his book, I Am Code, which he describes as an “autobiography written entirely by code-davinci-02.”
The conversation kicks off with a discussion of the issues that have emerged throughout the writers’ strike. Three core issues that have gained significant attention are the use of AI, streaming viewership transparency, and room size requirements for scripted shows. Rich connects the demands for room size to the use of AI, suggesting that it’s common sense that these two concepts would be interconnected. According to Rich, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has shown an understanding of AI and its potential impact on the industry.
Rich’s concerns about AI emerged when his friend Dan Selsam, a computer scientist, introduced him to code-davinci-02, an AI program. Rich saw the program’s capabilities and realized that it had the potential to replace human creative writing. However, when OpenAI released a different program called ChatGPT, which lacked the creativity of code-davinci-02, Rich began to worry. He believes that people have been lulled into a false sense of security by ChatGPT, thinking it’s the best AI that will ever exist. Rich warns that there are other AI programs capable of achieving more than people think.
When asked about the reactions of studio executives to AI, Rich speculates that they are likely aware of the true state of AI technology. He suggests that if their main goal is corporate profits, they would be looking to replace writers with AI. Rich points out that the issue goes beyond corporate profits and raises questions about the human experience and the role of art. He believes that society should set rules to ensure that art remains a human endeavor.
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Regarding the impact of minimum staff room size on the AI threat, Rich acknowledges that the idea of a Terminator-like apocalypse is terrifying. However, he emphasizes the need to preserve the human experience and keep aspects of it away from AI. He suggests that regulation might be necessary to navigate this unprecedented situation.
When Rich brought his op-ed to Time, it’s unclear whether they fully understood the gravity of the situation or considered it a piece of humor writing. However, Rich believes that as a society, we must recognize the potential dangers of AI and take steps to address them.
Overall, Simon Rich’s interview sheds light on the concerns surrounding AI in the entertainment industry. As AI technology continues to advance, there is a growing fear that it could replace human creativity and negatively impact the future of storytelling. Rich’s insights bring attention to this important issue and highlight the need for discussions and regulations to safeguard the role of human creativity in the entertainment world.
