Vince Gilligan, the mastermind behind critically acclaimed series “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” is making a bold statement with his latest project, Apple TV+’s sci-fi thriller “Pluribus.” In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to reshape creative industries, Gilligan has emphatically declared his stance: humans are still essential for storytelling. This message isn’t subtle – viewers encounter the declaration “This show was made by humans” boldly emblazoned in the credits, immediately after a standard disclaimer about animal wranglers ensuring on-set safety.
Gilligan takes this sentiment further in an interview with Variety, expressing outright disdain for AI technology. He calls it “the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine,” comparing its output to “a cow chewing its cud — an endlessly regurgitated loop of nonsense.” The showrunner’s frustration extends beyond mere creative principle; he lashes out at Silicon Valley, declaring, “Thank you, Silicon Valley! Yet again, you’ve f—ed up the world.”
While “Pluribus” marks Gilligan’s return to science fiction after his successful foray into morally complex crime dramas, its production values are a clear departure from the gritty realism of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” The series reunites him with Rhea Seehorn, who garnered critical acclaim for her performance in “Better Call Saul,” as she plays a romantasy author facing an enigmatic, possibly extraterrestrial threat.
Gilligan’s strong stance against AI filmmaking speaks to a growing debate within the entertainment industry. As generative AI tools become increasingly sophisticated, they raise questions about authorship, originality, and the very nature of creative work. While some see AI as a potential collaborator or tool for streamlining production, others fear its unbridled use could homogenize storytelling and erode the unique contributions of human artists. Gilligan’s decision to explicitly highlight “Pluribus'” human-made origins underscores this tension and serves as a potent reminder that behind every compelling story lies the intricate artistry and unpredictable spark of human imagination.
