AI Uses 130,000 Scripts for Generative Models Training

Imagine a world where AI can draft the next blockbuster screenplay—or churn out hundreds of them—at the push of a button. That world is already here, and it’s using scripts from over 130,000 films and TV shows as its raw material. The British Film Institute (BFI) dropped a bombshell report on June 9, 2025, revealing just how deep generative AI has burrowed into the screen sector. The implications for creators, studios, and the future of storytelling are enormous—and, frankly, a little unsettling[1][2][3].

Let’s face it: Generative AI is rewriting the rules of creativity. But is it doing so with permission, or are we seeing the next great digital land grab? The BFI’s findings suggest that major AI companies have leveraged a staggering number of scripts—more than 130,000—to train their models. These aren’t just random samples; they include scripts from beloved shows, cult classics, and even box office hits. And it’s not just scripts; YouTube videos and pirated books are also being used to feed the insatiable hunger of AI for training data[3].

Historical Context: The Rise of AI in Creative Industries

The use of AI in creative work isn’t new. For years, we’ve seen algorithms generate music, art, and even poetry. But the leap from experimental tool to industry game-changer began around 2018, with the rise of large language models like OpenAI’s GPT series. These models, trained on vast datasets scraped from the web, could mimic human language and structure. Fast forward to 2025, and generative AI is now a core part of the creative pipeline in film and television.

Back in 2023, the Hollywood strikes brought AI to the forefront of industry debate. Actors and writers fought for protections against the use of their likenesses and scripts in perpetuity, without consent or compensation. The 2024 video game actors’ strike, ongoing as of this writing, further highlighted concerns over digital replicas and AI-driven content[3]. The BFI report is just the latest chapter in a saga that’s far from over.

Current Developments: The BFI Report and Industry Backlash

The BFI’s June 2025 report, produced in collaboration with CoSTAR, offers a sobering look at the current state of AI in the screen sector[1][3]. The key revelation? Over 130,000 film and TV scripts have been used to train generative AI models. This massive dataset, combined with content from YouTube and pirated books, gives AI the ability to replicate the structure, style, and even the emotional beats of professional screenwriting—often at a fraction of the cost of human labor[3].

This isn’t just about efficiency. The report warns that the current training paradigm threatens the ability of the screen sector to create and commercialize new intellectual property. If AI can churn out scripts that mimic the work of top writers, what happens to the value of original ideas? The BFI, BBC, Channel 4, Fremantle, ITN, ITV, and Pact—a coalition of major industry players—are calling for a new framework. They argue that AI developers should not scrape creative content without express permission and that licensing copyright material is the best way forward for the UK[3].

Real-World Applications and Impacts

Generative AI is already being used in practical ways across the industry. Studios are experimenting with AI tools to generate first drafts, brainstorm plot twists, and even create digital replicas of actors. These tools can save time and money, but they also raise thorny questions about authorship, compensation, and job security.

For example, an AI model trained on thousands of scripts can generate a new screenplay in minutes, complete with dialogue, scene descriptions, and character arcs. This capability is both exciting and unnerving for writers, who now face competition not just from other humans, but from machines that have absorbed decades of their collective work.

The impact on jobs is real. The BFI report notes that AI’s text, video, and image generation capabilities are fueling concerns about job loss and income reduction for screen sector workers[3]. The 2023 and 2024 strikes by actors and writers are a direct response to these threats. On the flip side, AI is also creating new roles and opportunities. Studios are investing in training programs to help staff and freelancers develop AI skills, recognizing that the future of the industry will be shaped by human-AI collaboration[3].

Industry Perspectives: Collaboration vs. Competition

Not everyone sees AI as a threat. Many in the industry view it as a powerful tool that can augment human creativity. The BFI report emphasizes the importance of collaboration between creatives and technologists to shape AI development. Inclusive approaches to AI design and fine-tuning models for creative needs are seen as essential for successful integration[3].

But there’s a catch. While AI can assist human creatives, it can also compete with them. The report warns that without proper safeguards, AI tools could undermine the value of original content and erode the livelihoods of those who create it. This tension is at the heart of the current debate.

Key Players and Companies

While the BFI report does not name specific AI companies, it’s widely known that major players like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Meta are heavily invested in generative AI for creative applications. These companies have the resources to amass and process vast datasets, including scripts, videos, and books.

The coalition of screen sector organizations—including the BBC, Channel 4, Fremantle, ITN, ITV, and Pact—are advocating for a more ethical approach. They want to see a framework that supports licensing of copyright content for AI training, ensuring that creators are compensated and their rights are protected[3].

Future Implications: What’s Next for AI and Creativity?

Looking ahead, the integration of generative AI into the screen sector is inevitable. The technology is improving rapidly, and its suitability for creative tasks is growing. But the path forward is fraught with challenges.

One major issue is the lack of “common sense” in current AI systems. As researchers have noted, while AI excels at extracting statistical relationships from data, it struggles with reasoning and generalizing to novel situations—skills that humans master effortlessly[5]. The next frontier for AI is to develop models that can think and reason more like humans, perhaps by integrating digital twins and world models into wireless networks[5].

Another challenge is ethical. The BFI report and industry coalition are calling for clear rules around data use, licensing, and compensation. Without these, the creative sector risks being hollowed out by AI-driven content that lacks the depth, nuance, and originality of human work.

Comparison Table: Human vs. AI Screenwriting

Expert Insights and Quotes

“The expectation from an AI expert is to know how to develop something that doesn't exist,” says Vered Dassa Levy, Global VP of HR at Autobrains[4]. This mindset is at the heart of the current AI boom, but it’s also what makes the technology so disruptive for creative industries.

“AI’s text, video and image generation capabilities fuel concerns about loss of jobs and income for screen sector workers,” the BFI report states[3]. But it also notes that AI presents new opportunities and job roles for creative workers who adapt.

Personal Perspective

As someone who’s followed AI for years, I’m both excited and wary. The potential for AI to democratize creativity is real, but so is the risk of homogenization and exploitation. The BFI report is a wake-up call: we need to strike a balance between innovation and ethics, or we risk losing the very thing that makes storytelling magical—its humanity.

Conclusion

Generative AI is transforming the screen sector, using over 130,000 film and TV scripts as training data. While the technology offers exciting new tools for creators, it also raises serious questions about copyright, job security, and the future of original content. The BFI and industry leaders are calling for a new framework that protects creators while fostering innovation. The path forward will require collaboration, regulation, and a commitment to preserving the human touch in storytelling[1][2][3].

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