Elon Musk has released the first seven-minute episode of his artificial intelligence adaptation of Homer's Odyssey on social media platform X.
Viewers have largely criticised the release, with social media audiences describing the computer-generated production as pure garbage and questioning whether automated tools can replace genuine cinema.
The preview was created by Musk's technology company xAI in partnership with Wonder Studios and director Dev Walker, who both specialise in artificial intelligence.
The video begins with the hero Odysseus preparing to depart for Troy. All characters speak English rather than ancient Greek, despite Musk's earlier claims that his version would be historically accurate and faithful to Homer's art.
Audience reaction to the preview
Social media users quickly condemned the short episode after its release on X. One viewer said that if this was what the richest person on the planet could come up with, artificial intelligence films would not replace real movies any time soon.
Another viewer stated that the clip showed how little artificial intelligence understands art or human beings, adding that someone would truly need to have no taste to like it. A third response called the production pure nonsense, as expected.
Background to the project
Musk announced in July that he intended to create his own full-length feature film based on Homer's Odyssey using artificial intelligence, following the release of an adaptation by director Christopher Nolan.
Ukrainian news agency UNIAN previously reported that Nolan's cinematic version had drawn criticism for distorting the original source material. Musk announced his own project shortly after Nolan's release, using his company xAI, which develops artificial intelligence software.
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer that chronicles the ten-year journey of King Odysseus as he travels home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Musk is the billionaire chief executive of electric car maker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX, as well as the owner of X.
