Screenwriting and AI: Emerging Theories, Modes, and Practices

In recent years, screenwriting has witnessed various developments in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI (GAI). These emerging AI technologies offer novel ways to reconceptualise and problematise creativity and collaboration between humans and machines within the field of writing for the screen. As writers mediate between AI code and human narrative comprehension for developing effective storytelling, important ethical questions have become apparent around the creative process, bias, labour and copyright. Skilful as we are as a species in understanding the act of storytelling and detecting the limitations of AI systems, there are many questions that scholars and screenwriting professionals are looking to answer when approaching the boundaries of AI and GAI. This issue of the Journal of Screenwriting focuses on emerging theories, modes, and practices regarding the collaboration between humans and machines, across screen media and in international contexts. It does not wish to question whether AI is orthodox when applied to screenwriting – rather, it analyses the stakes raised by the partnership of human creativity and AI.