Roku’s recently announced 24/7 AI channel has drawn criticism from people on social media, with many threatening to boycott the streaming platform entirely.
The company, which is the US’ largest streaming hardware distributor, recently added a channel that streams AI created content 24/7, with ads that are also created using generative AI. The channel was designed by tech startup Fairground Entertainment and has been described by the company as “a major milestone”.
Social media users are less enthused, however, reacting to the news with derision on X (formerly Twitter). “Legit horrific,” wrote one person. “Society is quickly turning into a David Cronenberg movie.”
Some users questioned the demand for the service. “Not a single soul asked for this shit btw” wrote one, with another adding: “Feel free to AI generate the viewers too.”
Reactions also lamented what it meant for the company and those who would want to watch it. “Going from the Weird Al biopic to this is such a drop off,” wrote one, while another raged: “this generation is cooked bro. I really don’t know how or why any human being could enjoy anything devoid of sauce and creativity.”
AI has been a divisive topic in Hollywood, with Backrooms director Kane Parsons, Guillermo Del Toro, and Pope Leo XIV condemning the use of the technology. Conversely, Martin Scorsese, Brad Pitt, and Jodie Foster have all endorsed or used AI in their forthcoming projects, receiving criticism from some quarters for their support.
Recently, SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin asked George Lucas and others to “speak carefully” about AI in future. “I would ask these legends in the industry to speak thoughtfully and carefully about this technology,” he told The Guardian. “I get the sense sometimes that some of the commentary is not well thought-out. And I think that audiences really need their leadership in navigating this space.”
The post AI slop film channel ridiculed for being “devoid of sauce and creativity” appeared first on NME.
