Russell T Davies criticises BBC boss's 'clumsy' AI Doctor Who comments

BBC Director General Matt Brittin's comments on AI-generated Doctor Who episode spark criticism from showrunner Russell T Davies.

The full report

BBC News — Entertainment & Arts reports that Russell T Davies, longtime Doctor Who writer and showrunner, has criticised the new BBC director general, Matt Brittin, over comments he made about an AI-generated episode of the show.

According to Davies, Brittin's comments were 'clumsy' and could have a negative impact on writers and artists in the industry. Davies told BBC Radio 4's The Media Show that Brittin's statement was 'specifically affecting people, they're the first to take the blow'.

In response to criticism, Brittin told a staff meeting that he was attempting to make a point about the 'pace of change' and stressed that he believed in 'human creativity' enhanced by tools. He also joked that he had 'got into trouble' over his comments.

However, Davies expressed concerns that Brittin's comments may have been made without fully understanding the impact of AI on the industry. Davies noted that Brittin 'hasn't worked in television for that long' and may not be 'so fruity with an opinion in future'.

Davies also shared his thoughts on the use of AI in writing, stating that he did not use it to write his scripts but was 'worried' that it could start to replace writers. He noted that some writers may already be using AI prompts to do a first draft, which he finds 'shocking'.