AI is slowly entering Hollywood, and one of its most high-profile carriers is Particle6. Particle6, a British production company, came to fame (and notoriety) earlier this summer when it launched “Tilly Norwood,” an AI-generated “actress.” Since then, Norwood has inspired a great deal of rancor and outrage, apparently seeing it as a threat to Hollywood’s traditional business model. Most people have ridiculed Norwood, considering him little more than an expensive joke. Now, Particle6 is expanding its horizons and has teamed up with another brand that has inspired a lot of ridicule over the years: The History Channel.
Yes, the place that made you buy “It’s Aliens” has apparently decided to launch its own AI-powered series. it is called roads of the past (Or straighton van tone in Dutch), and is described as a “10-episode, short-form history series”. Deadline writes that the show will be developed by the creator of Norwood’s ancestor, comedian and writer Aline van der Velden. The outlet describes the new series as follows:
It will see Dutch historical explorer, author and reality star Corjan Mol (The Curse of Oak Island) taken back in time with the help of AI to tell compelling stories related to some of the Netherlands’ most famous streets, squares and canal banks.
This sounds absolutely silly. Gizmodo reached out to the History Channel and Particle6 for more details about their upcoming partnership.
A representative for Hersch Networks, owner of the History Channel, told NBC that it will continue to use AI in an “ethical” and “transparent” manner. “We will continue to explore [AI’s] “The potential with ethical partners like Particle 6, using it thoughtfully with clear guardrails and principles, while being transparent with our audiences at all times and sharing when they are viewing AI-generated content,” said Sam Pearson, the network’s head of short form commissioning.
“The team at Align and Particle6 have once again created a smart and entertaining factual series for us, but this time using AI to bring incredible backgrounds and characters to life,” Pearson told Deadline. “The end result promises to immerse our audiences in epic scenes and stories set at the heart of history, and we can’t wait to see their reactions.”
Yes…uh, great. I believe a place like the History Channel – which a lot of people don’t take particularly seriously – is a good place for AI, because most people don’t take it particularly seriously. As said, nothing can be said about it roads of the past Will it be some kind of surprise hit or will people do what they’ve been doing when AI shows up in TV shows and movies: yawning and changing channels.
Deadline writes that the series will be available to watch on The History Channel in the Netherlands in January.