AI AND SCRIPTWRITING: A NEW THREAT?

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly inevitable in the film industry, a critical controversy arises: Can AI replace human scriptwriters, or does it merely serve as a tool to assist them? This study addresses the debate through an academic investigation of Sunspring (2016), the first AI-generated film, to map the discourse and offer practical solutions. Using a desk review methodology focused on 2021–2024 literature and critical assessments of Sunspring, our findings highlight an urgent need for scriptwriters to master AI as an assistive tool. This approach positions human writers as creative masterminds who harness technological efficiency while avoiding artistic compromises. The paper suggests a teamwork approach, saying that even though using AI is necessary, it should be done carefully to avoid slowing down creativity and to protect the role of human writers. These insights contribute to the AI-creativity debate and provide pragmatic guidance for industry professionals navigating this transformative era. The study concludes that while AI cannot replace human scriptwriters, it can act as a valuable assistant by enhancing ideation; however, it requires human oversight to maintain coherence, emotional depth, and thematic integrity.