Artificial intelligence has ventured into the realm of entertainment by launching its own TV channel on the widely used streaming platform, the Roku Channel.
The addition of Fairground AI Creator TV was not officially announced by Roku but was revealed by Cord Cutters News. This channel offers 24/7 fully AI-generated content for free on the streaming platform.
However, the introduction of this AI-driven channel has sparked negative reactions online, with some viewers expressing dissatisfaction with the content. Critics like Frank Landymore of Futurism and Bradly Shankar of MobileSyrup have been vocal about their disapproval of Roku’s decision.
Fairground AI operates as a FAST channel, providing free, ad-supported streaming television. While there are approximately 200 FAST channels available on the Roku Channel in Canada, Fairground AI is not currently among them. The company has not disclosed any plans to launch the channel in Canada.
Roku, a leading streaming company globally, was acquired by Fox in a deal worth $22 billion US in June. This move comes at a time when AI-generated content is on the rise, with various industries exploring AI applications. Fairground AI’s CEO, Colin Petrie-Norris, anticipates a similar evolution for AI creators as seen with YouTube.
Fenwick McKelvey, a professor at Concordia University, believes that Roku’s adoption of an AI channel aligns with the trend of maximizing platform time and reducing costs. He emphasizes that understanding viewers’ motivations for watching TV is crucial, as television serves various purposes for different individuals.
Despite the potential of AI-generated content, concerns remain regarding copyright infringement, privacy issues, and the impact on human creators. Industry organizations like the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists advocate for regulations to protect human performers and ensure fair compensation in the era of AI-driven content creation.