It was just another typical day in the small Colorado town of South Park. The kids were engaged in their usual playground antics, teasing and mocking each other, while the parents sought to maintain their sanity amidst the chaos. And then there was me, a tech journalist on an unusual mission. I found myself going door-to-door, alerting the unsuspecting residents about the impending AI apocalypse.
No, this was not some bizarre cameo appearance on the long-running television series. Instead, I was thrust into an episode entirely produced by the Showrunner AI model from The Simulation, a cutting-edge VR studio called Fable’s latest creation. With just a recording of my voice from a call with The Simulation’s CEO, Edward Saatchi, a photograph, and a two-sentence prompt, the AI model churned out an entire episode. Although it might not have been the best South Park episode I had ever seen, I was genuinely surprised by how watchable it turned out to be.
The episode starts with my AI character unexpectedly materializing in the home of Sharon and Randy Marsh, warning them about the imminent AI uprising. Randy is intrigued by the prospect, while Sharon, clearly annoyed by my sudden intrusion, is less receptive. “They’re infiltrating every aspect of our lives,” my AI character cautions. “They’re in our cars, our phones…even our toasters.” Randy responds with a mix of surprise and amusement, exclaiming, “Our toasters, really? I always knew that little bastard was up to something.” While not the pinnacle of comedic genius, the exchange did make me chuckle. Remarkably, it took relatively little for the Showrunner AI to piece this conversation together.
Indeed, witnessing this episode unfold before my eyes underscored the potential of generative AI in producing engaging content. It was a stark contrast to the lackluster attempt at an AI-generated Seinfeld project. However, it also raised my concerns about the role of AI in media. Even as I watched the episode, writers from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) were actively striking for better residual pay and protections against potential AI exploitation. Showrunner AI, a tool capable of effortlessly creating decent content, posed a threat to creative professionals across the industry.
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This moment of uncertainty surrounding the WGA strike and the fears surrounding AI-generated content forms the main plotline in “Westland Chronicles,” the demo South Park episode created by The Simulation. When I reached out to Saatchi to inquire whether launching Showrunner AI during such a tumultuous period was a wise decision, he responded candidly via email, expressing his uncertainty. He acknowledged the potential for the tools to be misused in becoming “the AI TV studio” that churns out shows without any human involvement, reminiscent of a character from the film “The Player.” Saatchi understands the importance of negotiating rigorous protections to prevent AI from stripping away the roles of writers and actors, ensuring that these tools remain in the hands of artists and creators rather than producers seeking to undermine artistic expression.
Saatchi’s fascination with building intelligent characters traces back to his work on Fable Studio’s VR adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “The Wolves in the Wall.” Even then, he recognized the allure and potential of AI-powered beings, considering them more compelling than traditional VR storytelling. The Simulation is his brainchild, aiming to create simulations wherein characters lead their lives within specific environments, similar to the concept of “The Truman Show.” Showrunner AI can then condense the content into episodic summaries. Ultimately, Saatchi aspires to develop AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, which surpasses human intelligence and establishes a new life form. While skeptics remain unconvinced about the feasibility of AGI, Showrunner AI already stands as a powerful tool that could be used for both constructive and nefarious purposes.
Following my surreal experience of starring in a South Park episode, I confess that my worries overshadowed any optimism. Although the technology is not flawless yet—my voice occasionally sounding robotic and my name being pronounced differently each time—it is remarkably close to perfection. Saatchi and his team, including AI researcher Philipp Maas, who developed the South Park simulation, meticulously scrutinize each episode to ensure coherence. However, with no end in sight for the Hollywood union strikes, it is difficult to dismiss the notion that some studios may view this tool as a potential savior. Saatchi clarifies that they have no plans to release Showrunner commercially or collaborate with the South Park team. Instead, the choice of utilizing South Park was to provide a useful comparison between a high-quality human-produced show and an AI-generated one. He suggests that if Showrunner receives permission from intellectual property holders, allowing fans to create their episodes, all revenue should go to the IP owners. After all, these episodes are merely remixes of existing content.
The Simulation is currently working on developing showrunners centered around other animated concepts, such as a space exploration series and a Silicon Valley satire named “Exit Valley.” Sadly, the technology is not yet capable of producing live-action content. Additionally, The Simulation plans to release a research paper detailing the workings of their showrunner AI technology, with the goal of encouraging more AI workers to build upon it.
What struck me the most about my South Park episode was its uncanny resemblance to a genuine episode of the show. Over the course of five captivating minutes, I found myself visiting the local school, where the children mercilessly teased and mocked me. One astute child even advised against exaggerating claims about the AI apocalypse, while I futilely attempted to caution them about the dangers of clickbait. By the episode’s conclusion, I was eager for more, and that sentiment alarmed me greatly.
While the future possibilities offered by Showrunner AI are undeniably intriguing, my experience left me with a profound sense of concern. As the boundaries between human-crafted content and AI-generated content blur, the implications for the creative industry are immense. It is essential, now more than ever, to strike a delicate balance between utilizing AI as a valuable tool and safeguarding the artistic integrity and livelihoods of those working within the industry. The challenge lies in ensuring that AI remains a means to enhance human creativity rather than replace it.
