The BBC series Blue Planet III is set to return on Sunday, 1 November, with a focus on authenticity in the age of artificial intelligence. Producers have stated that the series will deliberately include cloudier, less polished footage to assure viewers that the animals depicted are not AI-generated.

A Return to Authenticity

Nearly a decade after Blue Planet II highlighted plastic pollution, and 25 years since the original Blue Planet aired, this new installment promises more animal behavior and cutting-edge technology. Notably, it will feature the world’s first underwater CCTV camera, dubbed the “stonefish” cam.

As technology has evolved, viewers have come to expect sharper, higher-definition images. However, the rise of AI has prompted producers to embrace a more organic visual style. Elizabeth White, the executive producer, emphasized that AI has made them strive for greater authenticity, stating, "The creatures filmed in the deep ocean are probably more remarkable than AI could imagine and it’s completely real."

Embracing Imperfections

In the past, certain elements like plankton or boats might have been excluded from shots due to water conditions. Now, the production team is leaning into these imperfections to enhance authenticity. White noted, "As AI booms, we will probably lean more into the more organic, murkier and less polished footage."