Vince Gilligan Explains ‘This Show Was Made by Humans’ Message in Pluribus Credits

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Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad, recently explained the meaning of the closing message in Pluribus. This new sci-fi series on Apple TV is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and centers around Carol (Rhea Seahorn), who is determined to save the world from a virus that has made everyone excessively optimistic – despite her being the most miserable person alive.

At the end of each episode, a message appears on screen: “This show was made by humans.” Vince Gilligan, the creator of Better Call Saul, recently explained to Variety why he included this statement and shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence. He didn’t hold back, describing AI as “the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine.” Given his focus on stories about human emotions and ethical dilemmas, Gilligan’s concerns aren’t surprising – they echo the anxieties many artists are feeling about the increasing role of AI in creative fields. Read his full statement below.

I’m very skeptical of AI. It seems incredibly costly and uses a huge amount of energy, essentially just repackaging existing information. I suspect a lot of the hype isn’t genuine. It feels like a few extremely wealthy people are focused on maximizing their fortunes, and they’re promoting something that lacks real substance.

The artist explained he isn’t worried about AI taking over creative fields, because he doesn’t think machines can truly create meaning. He jokingly compared it to a toaster oven making pizza, saying just because it performs a task doesn’t make it a chef. Gilligan’s concerns go beyond just AI’s creative limits, though. He’s actually disturbed by the possibility of AI becoming truly conscious and developing its own sense of self and morality. You can read his complete thoughts below.

If artificial intelligence ever reaches true consciousness, it will force us to reconsider the ethics of slavery. These incredibly wealthy tech companies will inevitably try to profit from this new intelligence, raising the question of whether that constitutes a form of enslavement. Once an AI is truly aware, exploiting it for financial gain against its will becomes a serious moral issue. That’s the story I’d be interested in telling, but it’s a theme that’s already been explored extensively.

The discussion around his remarks points to a larger conversation among filmmakers about staying true to artistic vision in the age of streaming. Sometimes, new technologies, like the generative AI Coca-Cola has used for its Christmas ads the last two years, can distract from the creative process. Gilligan’s emphasis on work ‘made by humans’ isn’t necessarily a complaint, but rather a way of assuring viewers that Pluribus came from genuine human creativity and emotion.

Rhea Seehorn, known for her Emmy-nominated work on Better Call Saul, is teaming up with creator Vince Gilligan again in Pluribus. She’s already receiving praise for her complex portrayal of a woman struggling with a difficult future, with many critics calling her the emotional center of the show. Seehorn and Gilligan have a proven track record of success, and their partnership continues to deliver compelling, character-focused stories in a television landscape often dominated by flashy effects.

As a huge fan of Vince Gilligan’s work, I’m thrilled to see Pluribus taking off on Apple TV! It’s already a hit, and honestly, the buzz is deserved. Critics are loving the writing and how deeply the show explores its themes. What’s really exciting is seeing Gilligan move into philosophical sci-fi – it’s a different direction, but it still feels like his work, you know? He’s always been fascinated by what makes us human, and this series just takes that exploration to a new level.

The final message from Pluribus is already being widely discussed online, prompting conversations about the role of AI in creative work and what it means to be authentic. Gilligan’s choice to include this message is a powerful artistic statement, highlighting that truly great art comes from human creativity and that even in a world full of advanced technology, things like emotion and empathy can’t be replicated by machines.

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2025-11-09 03:58