Vince Gilligan Slams AI in Hollywood: “They’re Selling a Bag of Vapor” — Insists His New Show Is 100% Human-Made

Vince Gilligan, the creator behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is returning to television with a new Apple TV+ series called Pluribus, and he’s making one thing clear: no artificial intelligence was involved.

The upcoming show, starring Rhea Seehorn, takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The story follows Carol Sturka, an author who finds herself among the few survivors of an alien virus that turns most of humanity into a cheerful, connected hive mind. Apple TV+ has already ordered two seasons, with the first premiering on November 7.

While Pluribus explores ideas about connection and identity, Gilligan says his real-world view on AI is far from optimistic. In interviews promoting the show, he openly criticized the technology, calling AI “the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine.” He said the industry around it is fueled by billionaires seeking even greater wealth, describing the whole thing as “a bag of vapor.”

“I think there’s a very high possibility that this is all a bunch of hors****. It’s basically a bunch of centibillionaires whose greatest life goal is to become the world’s first trillionaires. I think they’re selling a bag of vapor.”

Gilligan’s frustration goes beyond art theft. He warned about what might happen if AI ever becomes truly self-aware. “If they ever achieve that, then the whole discussion of slavery has to come back,” he said. He imagined a world where conscious AI systems are owned and exploited for profit, adding, “These Silicon Valley as***** are going to monetize this against its own will.”

Despite his anger, Gilligan hasn’t lost his humor. Laughing, he said, “Thank you, Silicon Valley! Yet again, you’ve fu**** up the world.”

Rhea Seehorn, who stars in Pluribus, also shared her concerns. She criticized the rise of AI-generated “actors,” referring to the fake digital performer Tilly Norwood that made headlines recently. “I’m fine going on the record that I don’t think any agencies should represent that AI actress,” she said. “Shame on them!”

Both Seehorn and Gilligan expressed worries that audiences might grow used to AI-made entertainment. Gilligan compared AI-generated media to “a diet of crap,” technically consumable but lacking any real nourishment.

Seehorn added that what makes real art meaningful is the human touch behind it. “Even if a computer could make you think there was impasto brushwork there, the reason the painting is moving is because of the human experience that went into transferring that art onto the canvas,” she said.

We hope you enjoy the trailer, Carol.#Pluribus premieres November 7 on Apple TV. pic.twitter.com/XG3LbdZoDh

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) October 22, 2025

Pluribus arrives at a time when Hollywood is grappling with how to use, or resist, artificial intelligence. Gilligan, however, seems confident that his show will stand as proof of what humans can still create without it.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!