A fresh video platform called Showrunner is launching, focusing on content crafted by users using artificial intelligence. The core concept is to allow users to pay to create their own shows, beginning with short animated pieces. Leading the charge is Amazon, investing an undisclosed amount in Showrunner’s parent company. However, Showrunner’s own CEO, Edward Saatchi, seems to acknowledge the uncertainty, remarking to Variety, that it “Maybe nobody wants this and it won’t work.”
Dubbed the “Netflix for AI,” Showrunner comes from Fable, a small start-up of around twelve people, co-founded by Saatchi, known for his prior work in VR entertainment at Oculus. The platform is currently in beta, with users experimenting with making episodes for two shows: Exit Valley, a tech satire reminiscent of Family Guy, and a sci-fi romantic comedy centered on a couple transported to another world during a fight at IKEA.
Current early adopters are on Discord, writing AI requests like, “Ali G meets Joe Biden and Asks him if he wants to buy some feet pics from this super hot chic he knows.” Others include conversations where Joe Rogan and Donald Trump arguing about the Epstein files. However, the results are not humorous. Devoting time to watching such output on Showrunner may be a questionable choice. However, that might be outside the objective.
Saatchi shared with Variety that, “The ‘Toy Story of AI’ isn’t just going to be a cheap Toy Story. Our idea is that ‘Toy Story of AI’ would be playable, with millions of new scenes, all owned by Disney.” He emphasizes the potential for interactive content through prompt sharing and refinement, giving Showrunner a feel more like video games than traditional television or content found on YouTube.
Fable plans to introduce monthly user fees for show creation. A portion of these fees will be directed towards licensing rights, potentially involving companies like Disney, with whom they are currently in discussion. Furthermore, there are purported safeguards in place to maintain narrative coherence and prevent copyright issues.
Given the content’s resemblance to animated sitcoms from Fox, the success of these safeguards remains to be seen. Disney and other major Hollywood studios have already initiated lawsuits against AI companies for alleged intellectual property theft.
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