Artificial intelligence looks to be the future of WWE’s creative process.
On October 17, Dave Meltzer revealed that WWE have a contract with Writer AI, with Cyrus Kowsari hired to lead the transition to AI-based storytelling as well as the integration of AI into creative services such as video and graphics. Fightful Select followed up the initial report, noting that a top talent had taken exception to the idea of AI-driven storylines, though a subsequent report has since suggested otherwise.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that many within WWE were unhappy with the attention the AI story received last week, though it remains true that artificial intelligence will be integrated into the creative writing process. Meltzer also noted that, despite Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque assuring that AI will not replace any of the current writing staff, there is naturally some concern that this could occur.
“Several higher-ups were very unhappy at how the AI story blew up last week, but nobody was able to deny the facts, although they tried to change the subject noting it was for things other than scripting shows. Although that’s true, as last week’s example showed, the idea is also for scripting shows. Right now, publicly, the idea is that AI will be doing the job of a writer’s assistant. But that’s the present and not the plan for the future. AI is studying the creative process and Cyrus Kowsari is studying the creative process. When Paul Levesque was at the production meeting talking about the plans to integrate AI into creative, video, graphics and storytelling, he also said that nobody in the (writers) room will be replaced. Another executive a joke saying that it’s not taking any jobs except saying one person, meant to be a joke since they named a name, but it still got many nervous. People are still worried about it because the trust level has been down since they lied to everyone on the first Rollins injury so now nobody trusts anything about injuries and most believe TKO has no loyalty at all to anyone. Most of the writers learn the business form the ground up, starting as assistants, where they learn the version of company history and creative lessons that the company tells. One person noted that even if it just eliminates some entry-level positions, that would mean fewer new writers being trained.”
-Dave Meltzer
Regarding the integration of AI into WWE’s storytelling process, Meltzer explained that, while the software’s poor output has limited its use so far, the plan is to feed AI past storylines from the company until it can contribute in a more effective manner.
“One person noted that they think the only thing holding back AI from behind used more in creative right now is that the ideas have been so bad. The explanation I was given is that the information to craft storylines given to AI are the company’s past, which is basically the history of Vince McMahon creative. While a lot of that worked in its time, it’s a very different time with very different talent and very different fans. But they do expect this to improve and that more and more input will help train the AI Writers Assistant to become more effective.”
-Dave Meltzer
In related news, Matt Hardy recently touched on the usage of AI in The Hardy Boyz’s segment on WWE NXT this week. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WWE’s usage of AI as soon as we hear more.
