According to the writers behind The Simpsons, it’ll be the “last show to embrace AI” – and there’s a reason it wouldn’t be helpful to the long-running sitcom.
The use of AI in movies and television is an increasingly contentious topic. Any time a project uses artificial intelligence, it becomes a news story – for example, Secret Invasion using generative AI on its opening credits, The Brutalist using an AI programme for small bits of the actors’ performances, and Late Night with the Devil’s AI-generated background art.
Earlier in May, Google unveiled Veo 3, an AI image and video generator capable of creating movie-esque scenes. That said, there’s always something a little off: dialogue that doesn’t match up with the expressions of the people in the clips, waxy effects, and other quirks.
When it comes to animation, some people believe AI could be used to speed up the process – but don’t expect to see it in The Simpsons.
The Simpsons writers say AI doesn’t have a sense of humor
Speaking to Screen Daily at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Matt Groening (the creator of The Simpsons) was asked about the possibility of the long-running series utilizing AI.
“It’s very intriguing. However, my gut feeling is AI will never have a sense of humour. So I think humans are needed. And I’m curious to see what happens,” he said.
David Silverman, a regular director on the show who also helmed The Simpsons Movie, added: “The production pipeline animation doesn’t fit [with AI]. There’s no way to actually utilise it. All it will do is confuse things.”
Lest we forget, an AI-generated ‘live-action’ version of The Simpsons went viral last year:
Matt Selman, a longtime writer on the show, said The Simpsons will be the “last show to embrace AI, not the first” and revealed they all have a group chat about all of the mistakes AI has made about the series.
“AI will confidently refer to this episode – that doesn’t exist. It will make up titles, will make up guest stars, and will say actors play people who didn’t,” he said.
“I’m not saying it won’t get intelligent, but right now it’s stupid. Artificial disinformation is ridiculous, the amount of nonsense its piping in people’s brains.”
Groening also joked: “Well, AI stands for artificial idiocy.”
In the meantime, check out our list of the best TV shows of all time and find out what else is dropping this year with our 2025 TV show calendar.
