Amazon’s ‘House of David’ used 350+ AI shots in season 2, creator unapologetic
When Amazon rolled out the second season of “House of David,” it slipped more than 350 AI-generated shots into the show’s visual mix - a detail the creator won’t let slide. The sheer number of machine-made frames has sparked a conversation that goes beyond one series, raising questions about how studios either highlight or hide generative tools in mainstream TV. On the one hand, the narrative keeps moving forward; on the other, viewers are left wondering whether they’re being sold a marketing hook or just watching another invisible brushstroke.
Some critics say flagging every AI element feels like a gimmick, while others argue that transparency probably matters. That clash points to a bigger issue: who gets credit and who’s held accountable when AI is part of the pipeline? As the industry wrestles with these dilemmas, Derek Slater - a tech policy strategist and founder of Proteus Strategies - offers a take that cuts straight to the core.
"The use of AI has already started to fade into the background. …"
The use of AI has already started to fade into the background. "I think part of what people seem to react to is pushing 'We did this with AI' as a marketing piece to get people excited or frustrated at something," says Derek Slater, a tech policy strategist and founder of Proteus Strategies. "This will be blended into the production process as another sort of editing and VFX tool and not treated as this bespoke, separate process." But while most of the millions of people watching House of David probably don't know that AI played a role, Erwin is adamant that he and other filmmakers who may be using the technology more quietly should be loud and proud--if not to influence consumers, then to signal a new frontier to the rest of the industry.
The AI-heavy opening does its thing, but does it land? In the first minutes of season 2 we see David take down Goliath, with dust-filled overlays hiding crowds, armor and horses. Over 350 AI-generated shots were stitched together, a move Jon Erwin says the budget forced on them.
He isn’t apologising, and the series doesn’t point out the tech outright. Derek Slater notes the “we used AI” buzz is already fading, becoming more of a footnote than a headline. Some viewers might spot the synthetic gloss; others probably won’t.
The show teeters between saving money and compromising art, and it’s still unclear whether this will sway audience interest or become a model for other productions. Without clear data, the effect stays vague. In the end, House of David serves up a biblical story wrapped in a patchwork of digital tricks, leaving the success of that mix largely unproven.
Critics and fans will have to decide if the shortcuts help the narrative or just distract.
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Common Questions Answered
How many AI-generated shots were used in the second season of “House of David”?
Over 350 AI-generated shots were incorporated into season 2, stitching together key sequences such as the opening where David slays Goliath. These frames were blended with dust-filled overlays to mask crowds, armor, and horses.
Why did creator Jon Erwin say the use of AI-generated shots was necessary for season 2?
Jon Erwin explained that budget limits forced the decision to rely on more than 350 AI-generated shots, allowing the production to achieve visual complexity without the cost of traditional VFX. The AI tools provided a cost-effective way to create large-scale battle scenes.
What does tech policy strategist Derek Slater predict about the future role of AI in TV production?
Derek Slater believes AI will become a background editing and VFX tool rather than a headline-grabbing feature, blending seamlessly into the production workflow. He expects audiences will stop reacting to “we did this with AI” as a marketing gimmick and treat it as a standard part of the process.
Did “House of David” explicitly flag the use of AI in its episodes, according to the article?
The series did not overtly flag the technology, proceeding without clear disclosures about the AI-generated content. This lack of labeling has sparked debate about transparency in mainstream content that heavily utilizes generative tools.