A new consortium, Charismatic, aims to develop an Artificial Intelligence prototype and conduct research into how AI can support underrepresented content creators and established producers in enhancing storytelling for film and television. The consortium has secured £1.04 million in funding from the UK government's Innovate UK program.
This initiative will explore opportunities for the creative industries to leverage AI technologies more effectively and generate fresh content, including storyboards, scenes, and settings. The project is spearheaded by Charismatic.ai, Channel 4, UAL Creative Computing Institute, Falmouth University, Aardman Animations, Sound Reactions, and digital ethicist Lisa Talia Moretti, with backing from Innovate UK to integrate AI into the economic landscape.
"Charismatic is a crucial project to ensure that diverse, new, and existing creators have access to the best tools and technologies in this new AI-focused content era," stated Guy Gadney, CEO of Charismatic.ai. "It's about how humanity can create new forms of storytelling in ways that were not previously possible, rather than recreating what already exists. This is the perfect group to make sure that creative industries become valuable key players in the exciting and rapidly changing technology environment."
A key focus of the consortium's work is to develop business models that enable creators to receive compensation for their ideas, particularly supporting creators disadvantaged by limited access to funding or industry opportunities.
Grace Boswood, Technology & Distribution Director at Channel 4, commented, "Channel 4 has a strong commitment to representing unheard voices – from diverse communities and emerging writers and producers. We’re thrilled to be partnering on the Charismatic project, looking to understand how we make cutting-edge transformative tech like AI accessible to all creators, irrespective of experience or budget. Our mission with the Charismatic project is to empower creators with AI, not replace them."
The Charismatic.ai team has extensive experience in interactive storytelling, including adaptations like John Wyndham’s classic novel The Kraken Wakes into video game form, developing writer-centric AI tools, facilitating writers rooms, and transforming graphic novels into interactive immersive stories.