
AI video tool that creates 'original series' in minutes sparks fear of replacing scriptwriters and creatives
The warnings come after Fable, a company backed by Amazon, unveiled Showrunner, an AI platform described as the 'Netflix of AI' that allows users to generate fully animated series using simple text prompts.
Users can create episodes by writing dialogue, prompting scenes and developing characters, with the AI handling everything from animation to voiceovers.
In the UAE, filmmakers and students are divided, with some seeing AI as a valuable creative assistant, while others warn it risks producing generic, soulless content and undermining career paths for young storytellers.
Currently on limited release, Showrunner is expected to become widely available in the coming months
The launch has reignited debate over whether AI will democratise storytelling by removing production barriers or disrupt the collaborative craft that has defined filmmaking for more than a century.
Prof Peter Bentley, computer scientist and AI creativity expert at University College London, said the latest platform makes it 'remarkably quick and easy' to create new works, provided they closely resemble existing ones.
'Creative and highly innovative outputs are not going to be so easy,' he told The National.
How it works
Showrunner works by letting users input short text prompts, from a few sentences describing characters and setting to more detailed scene-by-scene scripts.
The AI then generates storyboards, animates characters, voices dialogue and stitches it all together into watchable episodes.
Users can either create original series or customise templates of existing shows such as Exit Valley, a Silicon Valley satire, or South Park -style animations.
Access is currently restricted to a select group of creators testing the platform, with only a small library of prebuilt series available to modify.
While the AI can quickly generate plotlines and character arcs, it works best when those stories resemble familiar formats and genres, a limitation Professor Bentley says still keeps it far from replacing traditional filmmaking.
Fable has said broader access is expected in the coming months, prompting debate over whether these tools are already capable of producing watchable, formula-driven seasons or if they remain in their early experimental phase.
Filmmakers' fears
Faisal Hashmi, a UAE-based director and co-writer of the upcoming City of Life 2, said platforms such as Showrunner risk removing human vision from the filmmaking process.
'These tools are designed to undermine traditional narrative craftsmanship,' he told The National.
'What is film if not the vision of a storyteller using their own experiences to make you feel something? If you remove that process, is it really a film any more?'
Some experiments, such as the AI-generated short film The Ghost in My Machine, showcase the technology's potential for speed and visual novelty, though critics say such pieces often lack emotional subtlety.
Mr Hashmi believes audiences will eventually reject AI-only content, though he sees potential for AI to support, rather than replace, filmmakers. He has used AI for storyboarding and visual effects.
'If AI aids the process rather than replaces you,' he said, 'it has a place in filmmaking.'
Prof Bentley echoed this, saying AI cannot yet match the originality of a human storyteller. 'We need creative people to make the outputs truly watchable,' he said.
Will we need filmmakers?
Razan Takash, filmmaker and head of film at SAE University, Dubai, said AI shortcuts essential learning for aspiring filmmakers. ''Instead of learning filmmaking, they're learning film prompting,' she told The National.
She compared it to weightlifting: 'You can't prompt somebody else to lift the weight for you and expect to become a bodybuilder.'
Ms Takash said AI could offer opportunities to those who understand filmmaking but lack resources. However, she warned that as access becomes widespread, originality could be lost.
'Eventually, everybody's going to have the opportunity to make this kind of content,' she said. 'So no one is special, and it is going to be hard to stand out. We can compare this to the early days of streaming and YouTubers.'
Prof Bentley also noted that most AI-generated content is derivative, trained on the work of human artists, which raises copyright concerns. 'Artists may need to license their work for use by AIs, or consider legal action against companies that use it without permission,' he said.
No humanity
Nada Majdalawieh, a UAE-based master's student in TV and screenwriting at Stephens College in Los Angeles, said students are already worried about how AI will affect their careers.
'Storytelling is inherently human and the idea of replacing that with something generated feels like a step backwards rather than forward,' she told The National.
She added that if AI tools take over those creative roles, 'we're not just talking about streamlining a process, we're eliminating entire career paths for creatives who've been working years to find themselves in this industry'.
Ms Majdalawieh said AI could eventually automate everything from scriptwriting to directing. 'These aren't distant hypotheticals,' she said.
'They're real concerns already looming over us as students. We can all feel it, and honestly, it's scary.'
New access for creators
Mohammed Mamdouh, filmmaker and assistant professor of film and new media design at the American University of Sharjah, offered a more optimistic view. He said AI can empower voices previously locked out of the industry.
'AI-generated shows and films empower storytellers who might otherwise be sidelined,' he told The National. 'That's a radical shift in access.'
Mr Mamdouh described AI as transformative rather than destructive, calling it 'not the death of cinema' but rather 'the rebirth.'
However, he cautioned that AI could compromise filmmaking's collaborative spirit.
When the director 'becomes the sole engine prompting alone', he said, the rich dynamic of working alongside production designers, cinematographers and sound artists may start to erode.
Industry outlook
The AI market in the film industry is projected to grow from $1.28 billion in 2024 to $1.6 billion in 2025 and reach approximately $14 billion by 2033, according to The Business Research Company.
The wider AI in the media and entertainment sector is expected to rise from $25.98 billion this year to nearly $99.48 billion by 2030.
In the Middle East and North Africa, subscription video-on-demand revenue is forecast to hit $1.5 billion by the end of 2025, driven by platforms such as Shahid, Netflix, YouTube Premium and StarzPlay, according to Omdia, a consultancy firm specialising in technology and media.
Analysts say AI could lower production costs and accelerate localisation, while Hollywood studios are already testing hybrid models that blend human creativity with AI-generated visuals.
Future of storytelling
While the technology gains momentum globally, UAE filmmakers and students remain cautious about fully adopting it.
Mr Hashmi believes the pendulum will eventually swing back. 'People will crave original stories made by human beings,' he said.
Ms Majdalawieh said students face an uncertain path ahead. 'Filmmaking opportunities will still exist for a while,' she said. 'But there's a growing uncertainty about how long that will last.'
Mr Mamdouh said filmmakers must help shape AI's role in storytelling rather than resist it. 'We must shape the future,' he said, 'rather than let it shape us.'
On whether AI can truly replicate human emotion, Prof Bentley was sceptical: 'If you don't mind unoriginal and rather drab content, then it will be fine for you. Sounds a bit like many Hollywood movies, so maybe there is a place for AI there.'
His advice to creatives and educators: 'Reality is always better than imitation, and AI can only imitate us.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
19 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE employees can now receive salaries in digital wallets as du launches new platform
Employees in the UAE can now receive their salaries through digital wallets, as the use of this technology has grown exponentially over the past few years. On Monday, the UAE's second telecom operator, du, launched the 'Salary in the Digital Wallet' (SITW) feature, allowing the UAE workforce to receive their salaries directly into their du Pay digital wallets. Through the multilingual du Pay platform, UAE residents can transfer money globally, pay bills, recharge telco accounts, order a debit card, and make card payments. As reported by Khaleej Times, the use of digital wallets is growing in the UAE, especially among expatriates from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries for remitting money to their home countries. Currently, some of the popular digital wallets in the UAE include Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, among others. To receive salaries in their digital wallets, customers will receive a unique IBAN when registering with du Pay. This will empower residents with instant access to their funds through the du Pay mobile application, along with a physical du Pay card for cashless transactions. The company said this digital wallet feature is especially beneficial for residents earning less than Dh5,000 per month, who typically have limited or no access to traditional banking services. Importantly, customers can open a zero-balance account with du Pay. According to Research and Markets, the prepaid card and digital wallet market in the UAE is projected to grow by 12.7 per cent annually, reaching a value of $8.28 billion (Dh30.4 billion) in 2025. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7 per cent, reaching $12.43 billion (Dh45.6 billion) by 2029, driven by increased digital adoption and government initiatives. 'The shift towards digital payment solutions is driven by a growing fintech ecosystem and enhanced payment infrastructure, while the rise of digital wallets is expected to further accelerate financial inclusion,' it said.


Zawya
27 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oman: Ooredoo launches Submarine cable landing station
Muscat - Ooredoo has announced the launch of the Salalah Data Centre and submarine cable landing station, a project set to position Oman as one of the region's most important digital hubs. Salalah is emerging as a critical node for international connectivity, linking Asia, Europe, and Africa through its proximity to multiple global subsea cable systems. The new facility is the first of its kind in southern Oman to combine a Class 3 compliance data centre with a submarine cable landing station. Built to support the next generation of cloud, AI, and edge computing services, the facility starts with space to house 125 full server racks and will grow to 500 in phases, setting a new benchmark for digital infrastructure in the country. 'The Salalah Data Centre and Landing Station is a catalyst for Oman's digital future,' said Saed Al Ghafri, Director of Infrastructure at Ooredoo. 'It reinforces our role in driving economic diversification, attracting global digital investment, and enabling the next wave of cloud and AI innovation. By creating a southern gateway for international connectivity, we are strengthening Oman's position as a regional leader in the digital economy and unlocking long-term value for businesses, communities, and the wider region.' By creating a secure southern gateway for international cables, the project adds vital network resilience, reduces latency, and opens up faster, more reliable connections. It is expected to attract global operators, hyperscalers, and cloud providers to Oman, boosting the local economy and creating new job opportunities. The facility's advanced design supports everything from enterprise IT hosting to cutting-edge digital services, giving businesses and governments across the region access to faster, more secure, and locally hosted cloud and content delivery. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Medialinks becomes first MENA digital marketing agency to exhibit at ChinaJoy
In a significant milestone for the Middle East and North Africa's digital marketing industry, Medialinks has become the first digital marketing agency in Dubai to participate in ChinaJoy, Asia's largest gaming, technology, and digital entertainment expo. The Dubai-based agency is showcasing its specialised expertise in mobile app user acquisition, connecting global brands with high-value users. ChinaJoy, held annually in Shanghai, is a premier event that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees and industry professionals from around the world. Medialinks' presence at the expo is a testament to the agency's expanding international footprint and its commitment to bridging the gap between the MENA's burgeoning digital economy and the global market. The agency is focusing on its data-driven strategies for helping mobile-first brands, particularly in the gaming and fintech sectors, achieve scalable and sustainable growth. "Participating in ChinaJoy is a landmark achievement for Medialinks and a proud moment for the MENA's digital marketing community," said Zeeshan Sajid Amin, CEO of Medialinks. "This is more than just an exhibition for us; it's an opportunity to demonstrate that the MENA region's marketing capabilities are not only on par with global standards but are also at the forefront of innovation. We are excited to forge new partnerships and share our insights on acquiring high-LTV users in a highly competitive global market." The agency's core focus at the event was on its unique approach to mobile app user acquisition, which goes beyond traditional methods to deliver measurable business outcomes. Medialinks leverages advanced analytics and performance marketing to identify and acquire high-quality users, ensuring that clients' marketing investments translate into real business growth. Medialinks' historical participation at ChinaJoy signals the increasing integration of the MENA region into the global digital entertainment and tech landscape. By showcasing its expertise on such a prestigious stage, the agency has not only been driving its own growth but also paving the way for other businesses from the region to expand their international reach.