Marvel fans were appalled to learn that the opening credits of Secret Invasion were generated using artificial intelligence. However, their reaction was exactly what director Ali Selim sought to evoke as he views the fear of the new technology as a seamless fit for the theme of the new television show.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion.
As previously reported, Selim took gleeful delight in using people’s fear of A.I. to set the tone for the new television series. He noted the similarities between A.I. and the Skrulls:
“When we reached out to the AI vendors, that was part of it — it just came right out of the shape-shifting, Skrull world identity, you know?”
Marvel Studios open use of A.I. in Secret Invasion marks an exciting milestone in the entertainment industry, as it highlights its growing influence in audiovisual storytelling. Beyond the creative innovation of the move, the use of A.I. engaged fans and generated heated discussion on social media.
One posted an ominous tweet suggesting that the use of A.I. in Secret Invasion marked the beginning of the end, especially for artists.
Another fan criticized Selim’s decision to use A.I., suggesting that it took opportunities away from creatives. However, it’s important to note that Marvel collaborated with the team at Method Studios to create the sequence, showing that human creativity was still involved in the process.
Nevertheless, some still felt threatened by Selim’s use of A.I. and had an utterly defeatist reaction to the original fear-mongering tweet.
Other fans weren’t exactly against Marvel’s use of A.I., but they believed that it missed an opportunity to input custom data that could have significantly elevated the project.
Some held a nuanced view of A.I., describing it as little more than a tool created and operated by humans, which could be used to produce work more efficiently. They saw it as a perfect fit for the show and called OP out for nitpicking.
Another fan pushed back on the suggestion that Marvel’s use of A.I. is a threat to creatives who must adapt.
At first glance, the original post seemed to advocate for human creativity but as the thread unfolded, the author’s underlying motive for self-promotion came to light.
Unsurprisingly, OP’s call to action was hilariously shot down in flames.
Secret Invasion revolves around a renegade cabal of Skrulls who quietly infiltrate Earth by assuming the identities of powerful humans. The series explores the fascinating concept of how Skrull shape-shifting can be used in a benign and consensual manner before delving into its more hostile implications. At its core, Secret Invasion examines the theme of identity theft, evoking a similar sense of apprehension over the capabilities of artificial intelligence to mimic and potentially surpass human intelligence.
Throughout the course of history, progress has been driven by our inherent capacity for creativity. However, its momentum is often met with doubt and trepidation. The mathematical achievements of figures like Archimedes and the groundbreaking contributions of Ada Lovelace in the field of computer programming, show that change is inevitable and necessary. The rise of A.I. represents the culmination of centuries of human ingenuity that will revolutionize how we operate in the world. It’s hardly a surprise that Marvel is embracing the new technology. A.I. has the power to imitate but cannot originate, as the act of creation remains the province of human beings. At least, for now.
Secret Invasion is streaming on Disney Plus.