"Murder, he Wrote..." with AI
A conversation with Swedish crime author Micke Hjorth
At Prompt Collective, we're thrilled to dive into new territory with our very first interview, featuring none other than the renowned Swedish author and screenwriter, Michael Hjorth—better known as Micke.
Micke is a true force in crime fiction, co-creating the globally bestselling Sebastian Bergman series with Hans Rosenfeldt. Together, under the name Hjorth & Rosenfeldt, they’ve captured the imaginations of readers worldwide, with over 8 million copies sold in 34 languages! Beyond the page, Micke is also the mastermind behind several hit TV series and the co-founder of the Swedish production company Tre Vänner.
But lately, Micke’s been exploring new frontiers—venturing into the world of generative AI to unlock its potential in storytelling. He recently presented his findings at the Swedish Film Institute, where he offered fresh insights into how AI can be a powerful tool and creative partner for writers and filmmakers.
In this exclusive interview, Micke opens up about how AI can enhance the creative process, the delicate balance of maintaining artistic integrity, and the fascinating philosophical questions AI brings to the table. Let’s dive in!
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“AI can imitate humanity but not truly embody it. And maybe that’s a good thing” - Micke Hjort
Prompt Collective: Micke, you’ve been a screenwriter for many years and recently started working with AI. Can you tell us what first drew you to experiment with AI in your creative process?
Micke Hjorth: I was curious to see if AI could genuinely help writers or if it was just a flashy new gadget. With AI being a hot topic, I experimented and integrated it into my brainstorming sessions. I quickly realized it could serve as an efficient assistant—a brainstorming partner who never tires, never disagrees, but who also never gets the nuances quite right. That’s where the human element remains crucial. AI can provide endless drafts and suggestions, but refining those ideas into something meaningful? That’s still on us. I was interested in exploring its potential and in finding its limitations.
Prompt Collective: You mentioned that you have a particular passion for writing dialogue. How has working with AI affected that part of your process?
Micke Hjorth: For me, crafting dialogue is one of the most rewarding aspects of writing, so it’s been interesting to see where AI falls short. It's the soul of screenwriting, in my view, and I take a lot of pride in crafting it. I find that while AI can generate text and even suggest dialogue, it often lacks the subtlety and unpredictability that good dialogue requires. AI tends to lean towards the average, the statistically probable, which makes the dialogue feel flat. I think dialogue should have a spark, something human, and that’s something AI hasn’t figured out. It can get me started and give me an early draft, but when it comes to creating that authentic back-and-forth, it falls short. The machine really has no understanding of the human condition, and for me, it really shows when it comes to dialogue.
Prompt Collective: In your presentation, you mentioned the Writers Guild of America’s guidelines for AI use. How do you feel about AI’s role in the rights of creatives, and do you think Europe should adopt similar guidelines?
Micke Hjorth: Absolutely. The WGA has taken a great stand to ensure that AI-generated content doesn’t replace human creativity. They’ve set essential boundaries—AI isn’t a writer; it can’t be credited as one. They fought hard for this, and I think European screenwriters must fight for the same rights. For me, transparency is key. If any part of a project uses AI, it should be disclosed, not just to protect writers but to maintain the integrity of creative work. For example, if AI-generated content is used without acknowledgment, it could undermine the trust between creators and audiences, leading to a devaluation of human creativity. Without transparency, we risk “shadow AI,” where it’s used without acknowledgment, which to me feels more like cheating than creative enhancement. I think creators should feel empowered to use AI, but only if they’re fully aware of its role in their work.
Prompt Collective: You’ve spoken a lot about the practical benefits of AI for writers. Can you elaborate on how AI can empower creatives?
Micke Hjorth: This is one of the most exciting aspects for me. AI can empower writers by allowing them to break down their scripts in ways we couldn’t before. Imagine being able to take your script, input it into an AI tool, and have it generate a preliminary budget. You could start thinking about production costs, sets, and even special effects before the script reaches a producer. It’s a way for writers to have more control and insight into the entire filmmaking process. This tool can elevate the role of the writer, transforming a script from just a story into a comprehensive foundation for a film or series. It’s another way AI can elevate a writer’s role, turning scripts into documents that not only tell a story but lay the groundwork for bringing it to life on screen.
Prompt Collective: What about creative struggles? Some might worry that reliance on AI tools could undermine the struggle that often leads to creative breakthroughs. Is there a risk of losing that process?
Micke Hjorth: All creative processes are individual, but for me, the creative struggle becomes less when collaborating, and the machine can actually be a partner in that way. AI doesn’t necessarily eliminate struggle—it just moves it. It challenges us in different ways, especially in figuring out how to use it effectively. If you just use it to churn out basic results, you might miss out on real creative breakthroughs. But if you engage with it, refine it, push it, that’s where the magic happens.
Prompt Collective: You seem to enjoy using AI for brainstorming. What’s your advice to other writers about maximizing AI as a creative partner?
Micke Hjorth: Specialize, specialize, specialize. Don’t just throw general prompts at it and expect brilliance. I’ve found that defining specific roles for AI—whether it’s a research assistant for a character or a structured outline generator—yields the best results. Treat it as you would a human collaborator, but remember, you have to guide it carefully. The more you narrow its focus, the more helpful and powerful it becomes. It’s all about using it to its strengths and understanding where you, as the human, add the real magic.
Prompt Collective: Looking at the bigger picture, how do you see AI impacting the creative industries globally, particularly for a country like Sweden with a strong cultural export?
Micke Hjorth: I think creatives must understand and learn this tool. It’s too important an invention to leave to the "tech guys." We need to learn how to use it so we steer the future of storytelling and are part of the regulation that will eventually need to happen. Again, I think the WGA did a great thing in setting those rules. The countries that get ahead of this curve—adapting and regulating responsibly—will be the ones to shape the global conversation around creativity.
Prompt Collective: And as AI becomes part of the creative process, do you think we risk homogenization? Or might this technology lead to entirely new forms of expression?
Micke Hjorth: That’s a tough question. I think it’s really hard to make predictions about this tech. But it’s clear to me that there will be a lot of similar content coming out—it’s a machine of averages, so homogenization is already happening. Originality will be more important than ever. At the same time, I think there’s a high probability we’ll see new genres and ways of storytelling arise. AI can make things faster and cheaper, which opens doors. It’s really up to creatives to use it to push boundaries and create something truly unique.
Prompt Collective: What about the philosophical implications of AI? Do you think AI can ever truly understand the human condition?
Micke Hjorth: I doubt it. It's a machine. AI can simulate conversation, produce dialogue, and even tell stories, but it doesn’t experience anything. It doesn’t know love, fear, or hope. For me, this highlights why writers and creatives need to hold on to what makes us human. AI can imitate humanity but not truly embody it. And maybe that’s a good thing—this keeps the essence of storytelling rooted in human experience. It challenges us to ask: what is it to be human, and why do we tell these stories? Those are questions only we can answer. It’s the unpredictability, the humility, and the emotion in store that AI simply can’t replicate. The heart of a story should be the human experience, and I don’t think a machine, no matter how advanced, can truly capture that.
We’d like to thank Micke for taking the time to do this interview and for sharing his thoughts and unique vantage point with us. You can find Micke on Linkedin and look him up on IMDB to explore his work for the screen.
And please share this interview with anyone interested.
Who Are We?
The /Prompt collective was founded by Jes Brandhøj (Denmark) and Hannes Jakobsen (Germany). We're on the lookout for like-minded enthusiasts. If you're passionate about the AI-creative nexus, reach out!
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