NRT briefing
Russell T Davies criticises BBC boss's 'clumsy' AI Doctor Who comments
Based on reporting by BBC News.
The Brief
Doctor Who writer and showrunner Russell T Davies has criticized BBC director general Matt Brittin over comments Brittin made about an AI-generated episode of the show. Brittin told a Royal Television Society conference in September that he had seen a "pretty good" 50-minute unofficial Doctor Who episode. Davies called the remark "clumsy" in an industry where writers and artists "are the first to take the blow."
Brittin later told a staff meeting he was trying to make a point about the "pace of change" and stressed his belief in "human creativity." He said humans are leading and that human-led creativity would remain at the heart of the BBC's mission.
Davies, who previously revived Doctor Who in 2005 and again in 2023, also expressed shock at writers using AI for first drafts, asking what writers are paid for otherwise. He confirmed that a new series of Doctor Who is planned for summer next year, with a new Doctor and companion, though he will not be involved. The BBC cancelled the planned Christmas special, and Disney+ no longer co-finances the series.
NRT commentary
How We See It
Davies' criticism of Brittin's AI comments is understandable, but it also highlights a deeper tension within the BBC. As a public broadcaster funded by licence fees, the BBC has a duty to embrace innovation, including AI, to remain efficient and relevant.
Yet it must also protect the creative talent that defines its output. Brittin's clumsy phrasing aside, his underlying point about the pace of change is valid: AI tools are already part of the industry, and ignoring them would be a mistake.
The real challenge is not whether to use AI, but how. If the BBC can use it to reduce costs without replacing human writers, that could be a win-win. But as Davies suggests, the fear is that AI becomes a substitute, not a supplement.
The BBC's mission depends on unique, human storytelling, and that cannot be outsourced to a machine. The station's leadership needs to tread carefully, ensuring that any efficiency gains do not come at the expense of the creativity that makes its output distinctive.
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