F-AI-n Fiction and the expansion of universes
Welcome back for another installment of the /Promptcollective, where we delve deep into the world of AI. If you've just joined us—thank you for being here! And if you like what you read, don't hesitate to spread the word.
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If you've been following our previous editions, you've seen various experiments revolving around conversational approaches to AI, such as the “Hardcore Assistant” featured in previous issues or the Feynman method explored in our "Brains and Bots" article. This week's experiment takes a slightly different turn, diving into the realm of fan fiction.
You're the Main Character in...
While I've personally never delved into fan fiction, it's a realm where thousands of fans expand upon existing universes to feed their own and others' obsessions. Lately, there's been a lot of chatter about AI-generated episodes, such as the South Park example and the Showrunner AI behind it—a specialized tool from Fable Studios capable of generating all facets of a TV show in real-time.
Here’s a long walkthrough and presentation for the dedicated readers.
Even though I haven't spent much time in the world of fan fiction, I've been truly obsessed with certain shows and can relate to the emptiness they leave behind. Take this year's ending of Succession, for example. What if we could spend a little more time with these characters to ease the separation? I for one didn’t pre-grieve sufficiently.
Please note that GPT isn't trained on data post-September 2021, so discussing recent shows like Succession with it is off the table.
Revisiting the Sopranos
Instead, let's focus on The Sopranos—a show that marked the beginning of the so-called Golden Age of Television. Its highly controversial cut-to-black ending left many wondering about the fate of Tony Soprano and his family. What if you could converse with Tony Soprano post-finale, to better understand his world and maybe even decide his actions?
Tony Soprano mid-conversation with his dedicated fans
The Power of Fan Fiction and AI
It seems like Tony is still very much Tony. Stressed out, but with a clear idea about how to move ahead. And he stands up for his staff. And hands them wads of cash.
This is a micro-experiment, but it exemplifies how once finite universes can be infinitely expanded to meet individual needs and interests. I foresee vast growth in the fan fiction sector, facilitated by AI.
The Showrunner AI tool mentioned in the beginning, used to create that South Park episode, has even broader implications. It opens up opportunities for creatives to bring their own imagery and characters to life, potentially revolutionizing traditional production methods.
Looking at it from the fan fiction angle, the creators behind Showrunner AI believe entertainment companies could adopt this tech to monetize fan creations, turning them into a new revenue stream. The lines between creating and consuming will become blurry.
Something I Loved This Week
TextFX is a new rap-focused tool from Google, developed in collaboration with rapper Lupe Fiasco. It perfectly aligns with the /promptcollective's passion for human and AI collaboration. Take a look right here:
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A Note on the AI-dea Generator
The AI-dea Generator is on hiatus this week. We're pondering its future format, so feel free to send your thoughts.
Thank you for spending time with us. If you're interested in exploring all things AI in the creative industries, don't hesitate to reach out at join@promptcollective.xyz.
Until next time,
Jes & Hannes