Recently, the new anime from Crunchyroll, "Nekuro Momoko's Cosmic Horror Show," has sparked considerable controversy. Netizens exposed on Reddit that the subtitles of this anime contained numerous errors, seemingly generated by artificial intelligence (AI), causing confusion among viewers about the plot. Even more amusingly, the subtitles even included phrases like "ChatGPT said," which clearly were the result of insufficient review.
In April of this year, Rahul Purini, CEO of Crunchyroll, stated in an interview with Forbes that the company does not plan to use AI in the creative process, aiming to ensure the authenticity and quality of the works. He emphasized that AI would not affect the work of voice actors, although the company is exploring ways to use AI technology to enhance content recommendations and personalized services.
However, this subtitle incident has led people to question Crunchyroll's position. The media outlet The Verge commented on this event, stating that it revealed the risks brought about by the industry's blind pursuit of generative AI. Incorrect subtitles not only affect the viewing experience but may also threaten the jobs of professionals.
At present, Crunchyroll has not responded to this incident. Many viewers have expressed anger, believing that such errors significantly impact their understanding and appreciation of the anime. Although AI technology has shown powerful capabilities in many areas, it still requires caution when used in creative content and language translation. This incident has also sparked more discussions and reflections on the application of AI in the creative field.
Regardless, this incident reminds us that while enjoying the convenience brought by technology, we should always remain vigilant and ensure that the quality of creation is not affected.