Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and his AI studio, Primordial Soup, released the first episodes of _On This Day… 1776_, a docuseries using AI to depict historical events. The series features AI-generated avatars of figures like George Washington. Time Studios is involved in the project. The goal is to explore creative, artist-led AI use, expanding storytelling possibilities.

However, early reactions have been critical. Critics have called the series “ugly” and “hellish,” with complaints about repetitive camera movements and unnatural character appearances. The AV Club, CNET, and The Guardian all weighed in negatively. Despite the negative press, the team plans to refine its AI tools and improve episode quality throughout the year.

The project isn't entirely AI-driven. Human writers penned the scripts. The production team is also using actual voice actors and not AI-generated voices. Music, editing, and visual effects are also handled by humans. The series aims to be an experiment in how AI can be integrated into filmmaking, with the team acknowledging a learning process.

This project reflects a broader trend of AI integration in media. While AI tools offer new creative avenues, the quality and artistic choices are always going to be intensely scrutinized. The ability to balance AI tools with human creativity will determine the long-term success of projects like this.