Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse co-producer Christopher Miller has raised concerns regarding the NBA’s recently unveiled “janky-ass AI,” which alters the visual presentation of live games to emulate various cinematic styles.
At a tech summit held during the All-Star Weekend, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama demonstrated a trial of this new technology. Silver, during the presentation, specifically requested a Spider-Man movie-themed aesthetic for the Pacers game, which resulted in a teaser being showcased on screen.
The Spider-Man movie aesthetic in question draws clear inspiration from the Into the Spider-Verse series, infusing the game broadcast with vibrant and exaggerated animated visuals. The segment kicks off with a title card that reads “Meanwhile in Indiana,” followed by a brief gameplay snippet culminating in a dunk.
The NBA has introduced ‘NB-AI,’ allowing fans to activate a “movie mode” to experience live games animated in the style of popular films like Spider-Man.
Miller took to X/Twitter to express his views, remarking, “I’m a huge NBA enthusiast, and while I appreciate the enthusiasm for Spider-Verse, this subpar AI fails to capture the hand-crafted innovative artistry of the original films.”
Additionally, Miller hinted at potential unauthorized data usage for this technology, noting, “To the best of my knowledge, there was no attempt to seek permission for emulating the films’ distinct style.” IGN has reached out to Sony Pictures Entertainment and the NBA for their comments on the matter.
The integration of AI in creative domains has stirred controversy. Filmmaker Tim Burton voiced apprehensions about AI-generated art being “deeply unsettling” in September 2023. Wizards of the Coast faced backlash in January 2024 after falsely refuting claims of using AI in certain Magic: The Gathering artwork.
Several video game voice actors, including Ned Luke from Grand Theft Auto 5, have expressed opposition to AI. Luke criticized a chatbot replicating his voice, while Doug Cockle, renowned for The Witcher series, cautioned against the risks associated with AI, emphasizing its potential impact on voice actors’ earnings.
Embark Studios, the developer behind the popular game The Finals, came under fire for incorporating AI-generated voiceovers. The studio clarified its stance, stating that while they leverage AI text-to-speech tools for audio elements in games, they also prioritize recorded human voices.
Ryan Dinsdale, a freelance reporter for IGN, is recognized for his in-depth understanding of The Witcher series.
