Viewers of the Australian reality television show "The Block" are calling for producers to reduce the use of artificial intelligence in the program, citing AI-generated songs and surreal visual sequences as detrimental to the show's quality.
The current 22nd season has increasingly featured AI-generated elements, sparking a backlash from fans who have voiced their complaints on social media.
Recent episodes included AI-generated clips of contestants dancing in a nightclub setting and imagined scenarios involving appliances. One fan described the AI additions on Instagram as "completely ruining the show," "very tacky," and accused producers of "aiming the show at five-year-olds." Another viewer bluntly stated, "STOP all the AI music and videos … it's cringe and over used."
The show's use of AI first drew attention during its premiere when contestants were depicted as their "spirit animals." What initially seemed like a novelty has since become a recurring feature, with artificial visuals and music accompanying various segments.
Beyond the editing suite, contestants have also been offered AI tools to assist with design inspiration and renovation planning.
David Barbour, post-production executive producer for "The Block," defended the integration of AI, stating that it provides the show with additional creative tools to enhance storytelling and audience engagement. "The Block has always embraced new ways of telling stories, which has been one of the reasons the show is now 22 seasons in," Barbour said in a statement. "This season AI has become another creative tool in our storytelling toolkit."
He explained that AI helps amplify moments of genuine emotion, renovation achievements, and humor in "entertaining and unexpected ways," citing playful animations and original music as examples of how the technology can add personality and energy to scenes. "It's not replacing the storytelling, it's enhancing it," Barbour added.
Barbour also noted that the production team aims to appeal to a broad audience, from children to grandparents, by using tools that surprise and entertain. He acknowledged that the creative evolution would likely receive mixed reactions. "As with any creative evolution, some viewers will love it immediately, others may be surprised by it, and that's completely understandable."
Producers intend to continue experimenting with AI, as Barbour stated, "We've been really excited to experiment with these new technologies, and we'll continue using whatever creative tools help us tell the best and most entertaining version of the story."
Regarding the music, Barbour clarified that AI-generated tracks are used alongside the show's existing music library to create specific moments that complement the tone and humor of a scene. He emphasized that AI is a creative tool rather than the focus of the narrative itself, stating, "For us, AI isn't the story, it's simply another exciting creative tool that helps us tell stories in new and entertaining ways."