Paul Schrader is set to voice his support for AI after admitting that he used ChatGPT to get an idea to write a script.
The acclaimed screenwriter and director, 78, angered many after asking why writers should waste “months looking for a good idea” when AI can quickly generate “original” ideas at high speed.
It comes as many fear millions of jobs will be replaced by generative AI in the coming years.
On Facebook over the weekend, Schrader wrote: ‘I AM AMAZED. I just asked ChatGPT for “a Paul Schrader movie idea.” Then Paul Thomas Anderson.
—So Quentin Tarantino. Then Korine Harmony. Then Ingmar Bergman. Then Rossellini. Lang. Scorsese. Murnau. Capra. Ford. Spielberg. Lynch.
‘Every idea that ChatGPT came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And developed.’
Schrader added: “Why should writers sit for months looking for a good idea when AI can provide it in seconds?”
Understandably, many were furious about Schrader’s comments and even went so far as to suggest that he wants “all writers to lose their jobs.”
Paul Schrader scheduled to voice support for AI

The acclaimed screenwriter angered many after asking why writers should waste “months looking for a good idea.”
On X, formerly Twitter, one criticized: ‘NOTHING “created” by AI is original.
‘That’s literally the point. He steals and amalgamates the work of others and regurgitates it for the lazy to consume as authentic.’
Another asked: ‘Why should I bother watching your movie if you or anyone else didn’t bother to write it in the first place?’
A third fumed: “This statement really bothers me.” To hell with AI and everyone who thinks it’s genius.
“This is very offensive to writers, artists and creators,” added a fourth.
‘He is calling us lazy, unoriginal, incapable and many other things. “We don’t want original ideas coming out of your minds, writers. We don’t care what you’re thinking and what stories you want to tell.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, another said: “In other words, Paul wants all writers to lose their jobs and remove the human element from movies. How about NO?”
“It seems to me like you’re trying to say, if AI can generate these ideas, why should writers bother?” added a seventh.







Social media users were offended by Schrader’s comments and criticized him online.

“This is very offensive to writers, artists and creators,” one of Schrader’s comments read.
“But the thing is, the ‘problem’ is part of being a writer and creator.”
Schrader, best known for writing the screenplay for Martin Scorsese’s 1976 film Taxi Driver (1976).
He later continued his collaboration with Scorsese, writing or co-writing Raging Bull (1980), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Bringing Out the Dead (1999).
Schrader is not the only Hollywood star who has spoken about AI and its place in the world of cinema.
In November, Ben Affleck went viral with his surprisingly “articulate” view of how he believes technology will not replace humans making movies.
The Good Will Hunting actor reasoned that AI will help with the “laborious” aspects of filmmaking, which in turn will help reduce the costs of large-scale productions, but that it should not be seen as a threat to the art. .
Speaking at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha 2024 investor summit on Sunday, Ben surprised the audience with a passionate response.
“Movies will be one of the last things, if everything is replaced, to be replaced by AI,” he said.
I can write you some excellent imitative verses that sound Elizabethan. Shakespeare cannot write to you.
He continued: “What AI is going to do is eliminate the most labor-intensive, least creative, most expensive aspects of filmmaking, which will lower costs, lower the barrier to entry, allow more voices to be heard.” “I heard, that’ll make it easier for people who want to do Good Will Hunting to go out and do it.”