Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee criticises ITV over AI

Lisa McGee, the creator of Channel 4’s hit sitcom Derry Girls, has condemned ITV after the broadcaster posted a job advert for someone who could use artificial intelligence to “shape the future of content creation”.

McGee told Broadcast magazine that ITV’s advert was "incredibly depressing and, considering how Al material is generated, unethical".

She expressed her shock at the plan to utilise AI to replace writers and other creators, adding: "There’s no shortage of story ideas out there, though sadly there appears to be an unwillingness to pay for them.

"We strongly oppose this move from ITV, which also raises serious questions about IP. We will be talking about this to ITV as a matter of urgency.”

The £95,000 London-based "head of generative AI innovation" will work on "AI-driven innovations in content creation" for film and TV productions.

McGee also commented: "I personally don't think this model will work. Great stories are in the telling, the tone, the point of view, the personal. Screenwriting is both an art form and a craft and I think what I find most disturbing is this desire to replace us."