In November, Amazon revealed it was launching AI-generated video recaps for TV shows. In theory, this innovation could be quite helpful. Given that fans often wait years between seasons, plot recaps become essential before binge-watching a new season. However, in practice, viewers noticed multiple errors in the AI recap video for the first season of the Fallout TV series, which is preparing for its second season. GamesRadar highlighted that the recap mistakenly places the show’s flashbacks about 120 years earlier than their actual timeline within the series. Moreover, it incorrectly describes a crucial plot point at the end of Season 1, significantly misrepresenting the main character’s primary motivation. This certainly became a “You had one job!” moment for Amazon’s AI technology. When Amazon announced the feature in February, a blog post described the AI-powered recaps as “groundbreaking. ” Yet, those familiar with large language models understand that they frequently generate hallucinations and inaccuracies. Mashable Light Speed Interested in more extraordinary tech, space, and science stories?Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for subscribing! “Video Recaps represents a groundbreaking use of generative AI for streaming, ” said Gérard Medioni, Prime Video’s vice president of technology, in a November press release.

“This unique feature demonstrates Prime Video’s commitment to innovation and enhancing the viewing experience for customers. ” According to Amazon, here’s how these AI recaps are created: The process for creating each video recap involves multiple steps. Using generative AI, the Video Recaps feature analyzes the key plot points and character arcs of a season to identify the most significant moments viewers should recall before the next season. Next, the AI selects the most engaging video clips and combines them with audio effects, dialogue snippets, and music. These elements are stitched together with an AI-generated voiceover narration to produce a recap with theatrical-quality visuals. Unfortunately, it appears that fact-checking or human review is not part of this process. After gaming journalists reported on the error-riddled AI recaps, which featured AI narration and show clips, Amazon seemingly removed the feature from Fallout and other Prime Video series, as reported by The Verge. For gaming media critics of AI, this was a perfect chance to joke about the “fallout” from yet another flawed AI tool. Many creatives remain highly critical of generative AI in all its forms, as Mashable has noted. Still, Amazon has given no indication that the feature has been permanently discontinued, and it may return. After all, Amazon is fully invested in generative AI, just like millions of AI users worldwide.