For a new episode of the US animation series South Park, the producers relied on the help of the artificial intelligence ChatGPT. The AI software was even allowed to co-write the script.
In the past week, one topic in particular went through the roof: artificial intelligence (AI). Besides Microsoft, which now relies on the technology of Open AI (ChatGPT) with Bing, many other companies have jumped on the AI bandwagon. But the adaptation also entails some risks.
Still, that didn’t stop the creators of the hit US animated series South Park from writing an entire episode using ChatGPT. In the 26 years that the series has been running, there have already been some advances in technology. So is ChatGPT a logical consequence of this development?
South Park episode revolves around the use of ChatGPT
The fourth episode of season 26 is appropriately titled “Deep Learning” and even features the AI ChatGPT. In the episode, fourth-grader Stan Marsh uses the tool to compose appropriate messages for his girlfriend. Because he himself is not a romantic at all. A reason, then, to outsource this problem.
Of course, this does not work out well in the long run. Because in the end, the school administration, his classmates and also his girlfriend convict the boy. In the end credits, the viewers get the information about the authors. The following is written there: “Written by Trey Parker & ChatGPT”.
Episode shows the advantages and disadvantages of AI-supported systems
The episode makes several things clear: On the one hand, AI-supported tools like ChatGPT are useful. Especially in moments when a creative traffic jam blocks further writing, such systems can help out. But the issue could also be taken to extremes and could lead to job losses in the animation industry in the long term.
In addition, Stan Marsh impressively shows in the episode to what extent human closeness can suffer under such systems. Because if we outsource our emotions to AI systems for reasons of efficiency, what actually makes us human?
