Screenwriter Paul Schrader, known for his critically acclaimed works such as “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull” and “First Reformed,” surprised fans when he shared his apparent approval of Artificial intelligence.
In a series of posts last week, the Oscar Nominee marveled at the possibilities of AI and Chatgpt when it came to his profession.
“I’ve just come to realize that AI is smarter than me. Has better ideas, has more efficient ways to execute them,” He wrote on January 16.
“Taxi Driver” screenwriter and director Paul Schrader surprised fans with his interest in artificial intelligence. (Silver Screen Collection/Loic Venance/AFP via Getty images)
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He continued, “This is an existential moment, akin to what Kasparov felt in 1997 when he realized Deep Blue would beat him at chess,” referring to Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who famously faced an IBM supercomputer called Deep Blue played in tournament and lost.
Later that same day, Schrader shared another post, Saying, “I sent chatgpt a script I wrote several years ago and asked for improvements. In five seconds it responded with notes like good or better than I’ve ever received from a film manager.”
On January 17, Schrader stated that he was “stunned” by Chatgpt’s capabilities.
Paul Schrader said he felt the possibilities of AI were an “existential moment.” (He is PASUPIL/GETTY images)
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He wrote: “I just asked Chatgpt for ‘an idea for Paul Schrader movie.’ Then Paul Thomas Anderson original.
“Why should writers sit for months looking for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?”
“I’ve just come to realize that AI is smarter than me. Has better ideas, has more efficient ways to execute them.”
The last post, as well as the others, generated a lot of discussion in the comments, with many surprised that a veteran screenwriter and director would express that interest in the technology.
Paul Schrader has had a career spanning several decades and earned a nomination for his 2017 film ‘First Reform’. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty images)
“It’s not that great, Paul. I get the first impression, I’ve done the same thing. But read a few paragraphs and you’ll see – it’s an empty ship. Zero Emotional content (which is in art is kind of important) ,” one person wrote.
“I doubt AI could ever write a line as lasting and resonating as ‘one day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets,’” said another, referring to Schrader “Taxi Driver” scenario.
“Why should writers sit for months looking for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?”
One person called out the need for AI models to train and write on existing materials: “For this to even happen, there must first be a Paul Schrader, a Paul Thomas Anderson, a Quentin Tarantino, etc. You ask whether these writers didn’t bring their work first. Won’t get new votes out, because AI won’t even know them.”
Paul Schrader, center, wrote “Taxi Driver” with Robert de Niro, left, and directed by Martin Scorsese, one of his most famous films. (Neilson Barnard/Getty images)
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Several people also joked that Schrader’s page had been hacked given how many posts he shared about AI, with some asking “did Ai write this?”
Schrader also praised the 2013 film ‘Her’ starring Joaquin Phoenix as a man who falls for an AI operating system, Drawn by Scarlett Johansson.
“It’s even more relevant, prescient and deeply creepy than it was ten years ago. This movie is growing in stature. I liked it then, I like it now. There’s only one like it,” he said of the film.
In his reflections on AI, Paul Schrader praised the 2013 film ‘Her’, starring Scarlett Johansson as the voice of an AI operating system. (Getty Images)
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The “American Gigolo” writer and director’s career has shown no signs of slowing down. He released the drama “Oh, Canada” last year with Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi and has a film noir about “sexual obsession” entitled “Non Compos Mentis”, per variety.
