Russell T Davies criticises BBC boss over AI Doctor Who comments

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 09:44 · Archive

BBC director general Matt Brittin's comments about a 'pretty good' AI-generated Doctor Who episode have drawn criticism from the show's showrunner Russell T Davies.

BBC director general Matt Brittin said in September that he had been sent a 'pretty good' 50-minute unofficial AI-generated episode of Doctor Who. The comment prompted criticism from Russell T Davies, the long-serving writer and showrunner of the science fiction series.

Davies told BBC Radio 4's The Media Show that the remark was 'clumsy' given that Brittin worked in an industry with writers and artists directly affected by AI technology. 'They're the first to take the blow,' Davies said. He noted that Brittin, who joined the BBC from Google, 'hasn't worked in television for that long and might not be so fruity with an opinion in future'.

Brittin later addressed the backlash at a staff meeting, saying he had 'got into trouble' over his comments. He clarified that he was attempting to highlight the pace of technological change and stressed his belief in 'human creativity'. He said: 'Humans are leading, and I believe in human creativity, enhanced by whatever tools.' He emphasised that human-led creativity would remain central to the BBC's mission.

How it is being reported

• Russell T Davies Brands BBC Boss' AI Doctor Who Comments 'Clumsy'Outgoing Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies has made his feelings clear after the BBC’ s new director general appeared to praise an AI-generated episode of the long-running sci-fi show. During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show , Russell was asked about Matt Brittin’s claim last month that “somebody” had sent him “a 50-minute episode of Doctor Who that was AI-generated the other day” that was “pretty good” . “I mean, it’s not going to replace humans,” he quickly clarified. “So, everyone’s a creator.” Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa on the set of the BBC series Unsurprisingly given the…HuffPost UK · 14 Oct, 09:22
• Russell T Davies criticises BBC boss's 'clumsy' AI Doctor Who commentsBBC director general Matt Brittin said he had seen a "pretty good" AI-generated episode of the show.BBC News · 14 Oct, 05:58

In this story: Russell T Davies · Matt Brittin · BBC · Doctor Who

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