LONDON: A cinema in Central London has cancelled its planned screening of a film generated using artificial intelligence (AI) just a day after the announcement, following substantial public backlash.
The Prince Charles Cinema in Soho has initially intended to host the premiere of The Last Screenwriter, a film crafted by ChatGPT. However, this announcement sparked concerns among moviegoers regarding “the utilization of AI in lieu of a human writer.”
The Last Screenwriter narrates the story of Jack, a character who becomes apprehensive about his job after encountering an AI-based script writing program. In a statement released on Tuesday, The Prince Charles Cinema declared its decision to withdraw the screening of The Last Screenwriter due to the concerns expressed by its patrons about the film’s AI-generated script. The statement acknowledged the broader industry issue surrounding the use of AI in creative processes and affirmed the cinema’s commitment to its audience’s sentiments and its passion for quality cinema. Customers of the Prince Charles Cinema lauded the establishment’s responsiveness to their concerns, expressing appreciation for its decision. The discourse on AI’s role within the arts remains contentious, with notable instances such as the strike by the US actors’ union Sag-Aftra last year and comments from industry figures like Charlie Kaufman and Brian Cox underscoring the ongoing debate.
