Scriptwriter Scott Z. Burns goes down in Ai Rabbit Hole in New Audible Original series “What can go wrong?”
This eight-part series follows Burn’s journey when he intends to determine whether a potential sequel to his blockbuster film “Congagion” can be written with artificial intelligence. “Which cold goes wrong?” Mixes personal story, professional industry competence and his own experiments with AI technology to explore AI’s opportunities and pitfalls, especially when it comes to creative work.
Burns was originally inspired by the renewed popularity of “infectiousness” during the Covid-19-Pandemic. Burns are eager to overcome his creative doubt and ask the question of creating a sequel to the hit film for a generative AI -Chatbot called Lexter, programmed to talk like a light, witty and mysterious former film critic. The answer Lexter provides – a spoiler that Audible holds under the cover for now – “Stuns Burns as a seemingly original idea”, according to the audio platform. Burns then wrestle with the possibility of an AI-generated nature that has an original thought in a series of conversations with entertainment and media mates, epidemiologists who lead technical experts.
“When I started this project, I really didn’t know where it would lead … I just knew where I started from,” Burns said. “And sometimes it is enough for a screenwriter. I could never have expected where this would go and who I would meet on the road: both man and machine. The consequences here are astonishing both for our industry’s health and for the efforts in the next pandemic.”
“What can go wrong?” Is set to the Audible premiere on June 11. The series is produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment and Best Case Studios. It will be included as part of the Audible Plus, $ 7.95 per month subscription service with thousands of audio books and podcasts, and available A la carte for $ 24.95.
In the series, Burns pops into the artistic process, the real threat from the next pandemic and the questions about what it means to use AI to try to solve complex problems. “What can go wrong?” Investigates prevailing issues regarding AI in entertainment, including creative rights, work shift and the future of the story.
In addition to Burn’s regular conversation with Lexter, “What can go wrong?” Has a number of conversations with people from all over the world of science, journalism, music and Hollywood. These include Steven Soderbergh, Jennifer Ehle, Nick Bilton, Sarah Nolen, Cliff Martinez, Ted Hope and Broken Social Scene Kevin Drew and science journalist Laurie Garrett; Tech and AI experts Joanne Jeng and Meredith Whittaker; and scientists including epidemiologists Dr. Larry Brilliant, Dr. Ian Lipkin, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Dr. Shanna Swan.
Burn’s series “invites listeners to consider complex issues through a unique and often humorous lens, challenging perspective and sparkle meaningful conversation,” said Kate Navin, Audible’s head of creative development for North America.
Audible, a subsidiary of Amazon, offers a directory with more than 1 million audio titles, including original, audio books and podcasts from studios, media publishers and Hollywood creators.
“What can go wrong?” Goes with Audibles Slate of Nonfiction Podcast series including Ronan Farrow’s “Not a not my good murderer”, Leon Neyfakh and Prologue Project’s “Think Twice: Michael Jackson” and “Backfired” series and Jon Ronson’s “The Debutante.” The project comes from Audibles exclusive, multi-project development agreement with plan B Entertainment, the production company helped by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner.
In addition, Audible has development agreements with partners including President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s higher Mark, Kerry Washington’s Simpson Street, Daniel Dae Kim’s 3AD Productions, Lorne Michael’s Broadway Video Enterprises and James Patterson Entertainment.
