ChatGPT Challenge: Did Black Mirror Creator Pass or Fail?
Award-winning writer Charlie Brooker experimented with AI to create an episode of Black Mirror, but the outcome was different than what he anticipated Brooker learned an essential lesson through this experience
As the release of Black Mirror season 6 on Netflix draws near, series creator Charlie Brooker reflects on the new ideas he attempted to bring to the anthology drama, some of which ultimately fell short. In true Black Mirror fashion, Brooker acknowledges that the experience taught him valuable lessons on how not to approach technology in future episodes.
Since its 2011 debut, Black Mirror has captivated audiences with its disconnected yet thematically linked stories, all warning of the perils of irresponsible technology use. Through plot twists, unsettling scenarios, and explicit imagery, the dystopian series imagines a world increasingly reliant on machines. With the refined development of artificial intelligence since the last season in 2019, fans eagerly anticipate the direction the show will take in season 6, set to premiere in June. Brooker has hinted that this latest installment will push boundaries with even more daring and unexpected storylines.
Black Mirror's relationship with technology has always been complex and evident on screen. However, the futuristic angst and doubt have now extended behind the scenes. In a recent interview with Empire, Brooker revealed that he experimented with using AI to write an episode of the show. While writing a new episode, he played around with ChatGPT and typed "Black Mirror episode" to see what would come up. According to Brooker, the result was an episode that initially appeared plausible and intriguing. But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be insipid and derivative. As AI incorporates all data from existing topics on the internet, Brooker soon realized that the episode generated by technology was merely a rehash of his previous work. "If you delve a little deeper, you'll discover that there's no real original thought here," Brooker said.
The experience taught him a valuable lesson - that technology itself is not the issue, but rather the way it is used by humans. As with any Black Mirror episode, it is the hands that lay on the technology that can cause harm. The writer also gained insight into what not to do in the future, inspiring him to break his own rules and expand the show's potential subject matter. "There's no point in having an anthology show if you can't break your own rules," said Brooker, likening it to a refreshing wake-up call.
As the WGA and potential SAG-AFTRA strikes loom, more writers, actors, and directors are rejecting the use of AI technology in their work. This move away from AI is not surprising, given that Black Mirror is the master of technology-induced unease. It's clear that the creator of this hit Netflix series understands the limitations of using such tools.
Black Mirror season 6 will be released on Netflix on June 15, 2023.
Source: Empire
