Creative artificial intelligence is coming to streaming, with the release of a platform dedicated to AI content that allows users to create episodes with just a few word prompts.
Fable Studios, an Emmy-winning San Francisco startup, on Thursday announced Showrunner, a platform the company says allows it to write, voice and animate episodes of its own shows. Under the initial release, users will be able to watch AI-generated series and create their own content — complete with the ability to control dialogue, characters and shot types, among other controls.
The effort marks further encroachment by the tech industry on Hollywood as it looks to exploit AI tools that have become embroiled in controversy over their ability to streamline production and potentially copyright content from creators. have been created using which they may eventually be displaced. Amidst the industry's historic dual strikes last year, in which the use of AI emerged as a contentious negotiating point, Fable released an AI-driven episode. South Park To showcase your technology. While some derided it for its comical memes, others pointed to the video as a leap in technology and proof of concept that AI tools will soon allow viewers to engage more actively with content. will allow, possibly by creating their own. It also showed the risk the tech poses to creators whose work could be harmed if adopted in the production pipeline.
“The vision is to be the Netflix of AI,” says chief executive Edward Saatchi. “Maybe you can finish all the episodes of a show you're watching and you can click a button and make another episode. You can say what it should be about or you can tell the AI. You can make it yourself.
According to Saatchi, users will now be able to join a waiting list for a free testing version of the platform, which will likely last until the end of the year. The announcement unveiled 10 animated shows of various genres and styles that were created mostly with AI tools, outside of music and some transitions. They include Exit the valley.Billed as a satire of Silicon Valley, it mimicked the animation style and comedic flavor South Park; Akiro listen, a dark horror anime following survivors of a global disaster who try to rebuild society; And Sam Francisco, an anthology series about people living in the shared universe of “Sim Francisco”, where several shows take place. The tech is limited to animation and doesn't yet have the ability to create live-action shots.
Users are encouraged to create their own episodes of shows, the best of which will be added to the series catalog when Showrunner officially launches. Winners will receive a lump sum payment as well as revenue sharing if the show is picked up by the streamer. Saatchi says the platform's tech allows users to create a series of scenes that can then be stitched together to create a full-length episode. Hints can range from just a few words to over 100. Users will be able to edit the flow of dialogue, shots and scenes, among other things.
“It will take the core conflict of your episode and develop it with another character or location,” says Saatchi. “Or you can say, 'I want this to be the next scene specifically.'
Fable, which won a 2019 Emmy for Innovation in Interactive Media, figures to keep costs down by creating content for consumers that others will see. The model reflects the anxiety and fear that some creators have over AI: if tech can act as all-purpose staff members and talent, reducing the value and demand for their labor. . Union protections, some of which currently prohibit the use of AI tools, will become even more important if the company can prove there is a market for fully AI-generated content. .
with Exit the valley., the myth seems to join the fun of tech entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk who are unwittingly ruining society using AI. The first installment has rough edges – and some will likely consider it a cheap knockoff. South Park – but it has a clear story and is occasionally interesting.
“AI can definitely make better episodes. The Simpsons Today,” says Saatchi.
Showrunner is powered by Fable's AI model, which was built upon the release of OpenAI and the open source AI system from Stable Diffusion. Last year, he released a research paper showcasing tech that says he can write, produce, direct, edit, voice and animate episodes of shows with a large catalog of content. The company created nine AI-generated short episodes. South Park with a brief hint.
Saatchi says the system is trained on “publicly available data”. Asked about widespread allegations of AI companies using copyrighted material to teach their tech, he adds, “What matters to me is whether the output is original.” And “the content is what will decide whether the tech is worthwhile.”