When one wants to relax after a long day, the thought of sitting on the couch and turning on the TV feels like the easiest option. With the click of a button, one can watch the latest cinematic pieces that streaming services have to offer. A hit show that has been stirring pots and making its way into conversations over the recent couple of months has been “Love Island.”
The romantic reality show sensation is available on various streaming services, where it takes a group of single people, places them on an island with numerous luxuries, pairs them up looking for love, and challenges them to survive until the end to earn the cash prize of $10,000. With stakes this high, it has captured an audience worldwide. With its current popularity, spin-offs are bound to happen.
One that has been gaining insurmountable controversy is a fruit AI version that one can watch on TikTok. The videos were posted to an account under the name of AI Cinema, which, in recent weeks, has been deleted. However, the fans of the AI series have reposted them, and some even started their own shows. On the other hand, the haters have strong beliefs that are backed by environmental morals, and have also adopted the term “slop” to define it.
The generated micro-series is estimated to use 16 gallons of water for every two-minute video, and haters and those concerned about generative AI’s impact on the environment have shown how it might be affecting their tap water, making it foggy or low-pressure. Additionally, environmentally conscious TikTok users have been quick to call out popular celebrities for supporting the AI “slop.” A notable experience was with Zara Larsson. She had posted on her account a video with the caption, “Sorry I can’t hang out today, I gotta see what’s happening with Chocolatina, and Strawberto.” Ultimately, after receiving a ton of backlash, she said that at the end of the day, she’s just a girl with a phone. Nonetheless, most fans don’t care about water usage and seem to point out the other high-water-consuming company, Nestle. While this corporation does drain water at a rapid speed, it doesn’t make AI any better. It’s important to notice what could be worse while still recognizing that certain actions are still bad.
Another aspect to note is that the creator of “AI Fruit Love Island” seems to be insensitive to their water usage, posting on AI Cinema’s TikTok story and claiming that they were going to use so much AI that they will “use all the fresh clean water.” The [anonymous] developer, shortly before their “meltdown,” as some people are calling it, declared that they were starting a new series. Not much was known about the storyline, but it was going to be another AI show involving animated humans, but it doesn’t seem to be in the process.
While something as easy as reaching for one’s phone may be less taxing than grabbing a remote, it’s important to be appreciative of the hard work of directors, actors, and more to create art in a visible and entertaining way. Something as low as AI “slop” lacks emotion and basic cinematic skills that one can see in a man-made show or movie.
