The Prince Charles Cinema in London canceled the world premiere of “The Last Screenwriter” after receiving complaints about the use of ChatGPT to write the film’s script.
Swiss director Peter Luisi used the generative artificial intelligence chatbot to write the film and credited the AI with screenwriting. Fittingly enough for a script composed by an AI, ‘The Last Screenwriter’ is about a famous screenwriter who deals with an AI scriptwriter called ‘ChatGPT 4.0’, who outperforms him and somehow understands humanity better than the actual human being.
Luisi produced the screenplay through a series of prompts to ChatGPT, starting by asking him to “write a plot for a feature film in which a screenwriter realizes he is less good at writing than artificial intelligence.” He followed up with the AI by asking it to compose outlines and scenes, as well as name the film’s characters. With some adjustments the script was complete.
The film’s press kit even includes a statement from ‘the screenwriter’, who seems very proud of the screenplay.
“As the screenwriter of ‘The Last Screenwriter,’ I’m excited to bring this thought-provoking story to life on the page,” said ChatGPT. “At its core, the film explores the intersection between technology and human creativity, asking the question: can machines really replace the human experience when it comes to art and storytelling?”
That almost sounds too human.
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However, just before the premiere, the cinema canceled the event due to a flood of complaints from the public. While trying to avoid this particular controversy, the theater did make a point that the issue of AI in entertainment is a bigger problem than just this one movie and one theater’s policies.
“The feedback we have received over the last 24 hours after promoting the film has highlighted the strong concerns many of our audiences have about the use of AI in place of a writer speaking to a wider issue within the industry,” wrote Prince Charles. in his statement.
Proponents of AI in entertainment say it can provide innovative solutions and new perspectives. However, many are concerned about what this could mean for creative employment and even the future of storytelling.
Generative AI and its uses were at the heart of the recent writers and film actors union strikes, and both settlements centered on how companies should approach the technology. Still, it’s probably not a resolved issue if the technology itself is evolving so quickly.
Don’t cry for ChatGPT. Director Luisi was still holding a family and friends screen. Additionally, there are plans to release the film online for free on June 27 and post the screenplay and how it was created by ChatGPT.