London Cinema Cancels AI-Written Film, Sparking Debate on Technology’s Role in Arts

London cinema cancels screening of AI-written film amid concerns over the technology’s impact on the industry, drawing praise from filmgoers for listening to its audience.

The controversial film: The Prince Charles Cinema in Soho was set to premiere The Last Screenwriter, a movie written by the AI chatbot ChatGPT, on June 23:

• The film follows a character named Jack who fears for his job after discovering an AI script writing program that matches and even surpasses his own writing skills and empathy.
• The cinema’s decision to screen the film raised concerns among filmgoers about the use of AI replacing human writers.

Cinema’s response to backlash: Following intense public criticism, the Prince Charles Cinema announced it would no longer screen The Last Screenwriter:

• In a statement, the cinema acknowledged the strong concern held by many audience members regarding the use of AI instead of human writers, recognizing it as a wider issue within the industry.
• The decision was rooted in the cinema’s passion for movies and commitment to listening to its supporters.
• Customers praised the cinema for taking a stance on this industry issue, appreciating that it listened to its audience.

The AI debate in the arts: The use of artificial intelligence in the arts is a contentious topic, sparking discussions and actions across the industry:

• The US actors’ union SAG-AFTRA went on strike last year, partly due to concerns over the unregulated use of AI, bringing Hollywood to a standstill.
• Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman criticized the Hollywood system, suggesting that as long as writers are “making that garbage,” AI might as well do it instead.
• Actor Brian Cox identified AI as an entity the industry should be fighting against, sharing his own experience with an AI-generated version of himself that he found “weird and really a little scary.”

Broader implications: The Prince Charles Cinema’s decision to cancel the screening of an AI-written film highlights the growing tension between artificial intelligence and the creative industries:

• As AI technology advances, questions arise about its potential impact on the livelihoods of writers, actors, and other artists.
• The incident underscores the importance of open dialogue and collaboration between creators, audiences, and industry stakeholders in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the arts.
• While the full implications of AI in the creative process remain to be seen, the Prince Charles Cinema’s responsiveness to its audience’s concerns sets a positive example for other institutions grappling with this complex issue.