Copyright Screen Rant
Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has explained the reason behind the message that appears at the end ofPluribus. The new Apple TV sci-fi drama series takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and follows Carol (Rhea Seahorn), the most miserable person on Earth, who must save the world from a global virus that rendered everyone relentlessly optimistic. As the final credits roll in each episode, viewers are met with a brief but pointed statement: "This show was made by humans." Speaking with Variety, Gilligan opened up about the intention behind the message and his stance on AI. The Better Call Saul creator did not mince his words, calling AI "the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine." Known for his human-centered stories about moral conflict and emotion, Gilligan's skepticism comes as no surprise, as it reflects the broader worry felt among artists due to AI's growing presence in the arts. Read Gilligan's comments below: I hate AI. AI is the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine. I think there’s a very high possibility that this is all a bunch of horseshit. It’s basically a bunch of centibillionaires whose greatest life goal is to become the world’s first trillionaires. I think they’re selling a bag of vapor. The creator went on to clarify that he doesn't fear artificial intelligence replacing human creativity, as he simply does not believe that machines can create meaning: "My toaster oven isn’t suddenly Thomas Keller because it heats up a delicious pizza for me," he said. Gilligan's skepticism doesn't just stem from technology's creative limitations, but from its potential moral consequences, as he admits his brain buzzes at the threat of AI developing into “a true sentience that has its own soul, and therefore its own identity.” Read his full comments below: […] If they ever achieve that, then the whole discussion of slavery has to come back into the forefront of the conversation. These trillionaires are going to want to make money on this thing that is now conscious. Is it then a slave? At that point, it is a truly sentient being, and these Silicon Valley assholes are going to monetize this against its own will, right? That’s the story I would write. But that’s been done to death. His comments highlight a growing debate among filmmakers about authenticity in the streaming era, where technological advancements sometimes overshadow creative intent, as seen in Coca-Cola's decision to use generative AI to make its Christmas commercials for the past two years. Gilligan's "made by humans" tag feels more like a statement of purpose than a protest, reminding audiences that Pluribus was conceived by real people who bring real emotion to their craft. Pluribus stars Rhea Seehorn, reuniting the actor with Gilligan after her Emmy-nominated performance in Gilligan's Better Call Saul. Her portrayal of a morally conflicted woman navigating a broken future has earned wide acclaim already, with critics praising her as "the emotional heartbeat of the series."Seehorn and Gilligan's collaboration remains one of television's most successful creative partnerships, with their dynamic continuing to elevate character-driven drama in an age often defined by spectacle overstimulation. Beyond its commentary, Pluribus has already become a success for Apple TV. The series opened to strong numbers and rave reviews, praising the show for its writing and thematic resonance. Its debut marks Gilligan's transition from gritty realism to philosophical sci-fi, a genre shift that still feels entirely consistent with his work and fascination with humanity.
