(But you should still pay attention)
AI is getting better at everything—illustrations, video, analysis, coding—writing is no exception. But will it ever truly replace human screenwriters?
My answer is: “No, but…”
No, because I don’t share the same fear that others do. But—because ignoring it would be a serious mistake.
Fears of the Present Moment
Technology is evolving rapidly. AI-generated images flood social media, and it seems AI-written content is everywhere. People started losing jobs to automation. That’s for sure. But let’s ask ourselves:
Are machines really firing people, or are decision-makers replacing people because they think they don’t need them anymore?
Fear is growing, and that’s understandable. However, right now, there’s more panic than sober analysis. What are we really afraid of?
- Losing our jobs
- Being paid less
- Not finding our place in this changing industry
That’s why so many resist new technology. But the truth is, we can’t ban or ignore it—it’s just impossible.
Think about someone in the 1990s who refused to use computers or the internet—where would they be now? The same applies to AI. It’s already reshaping our world, and that’s an undeniable fact. But the real challenge isn’t fighting AI—it’s learning how to leverage it wisely to enhance our work and careers.
Why the studio system wants AI (and why it’s a problem for writers)
The ugly truth is that studios don’t care about great storytelling—they care about cutting costs. AI will be used to analyze scripts for pacing, structure, and marketability in seconds. If a machine says your script is weak, no executive will argue with it.
There’s a small upside—more scripts might get read (by machines, but still). And here’s the scariest part—once studios fully rely on AI-driven analysis, the industry’s creative risks will shrink. If AI calls a script ‘risky’ or ‘unmarketable,’ it might never even get read by human eyes.
Hollywood has always loved formulas—AI will only tighten that grip. But I wouldn’t write off human creativity just yet.
AI is a fancy toy. Like every overhyped technology, expectationswill shift back to reality. AI won’t be the creative revolution some expect—it will simply become another part of our workflow.
We need to stop thinking in terms of People vs. AI and start thinking People + AI.
Integration is inevitable. Even the most stubborn skeptics will accept it in the long run. The key isn’t fighting it—the key is knowing how to use it effectively.
The limitations of AI in writing
AI isn’t a magic wand. It’s a tool—one that still needs a skilled human to make it work. Not just anyone, but a person with talent.
Let me ask you this—if generating greatness were as simple as pushing a button, why are AI-generated images so different? Shouldn’t they all be beautiful? Why aren’t most of them?
I have an answer – because the human touch makes the difference. Same with writing.
AI can generate a digestible blog post, but can it tell a story that pulls you in emotionally? I doubt it.
So let’s bring the fear down a little:
- AI can generate plots, structure, and even mimic voices, but without the emotional core that makes human stories resonate, it’s just words strung together—like a pretty but generic image.
- Great writing isn’t just about words on a page; it’s about insight, subtext, and lived experience. AI doesn’t live, doesn’t feel, doesn’t suffer. It can only guess what human emotions are.
Think about it:
Would you trust a writer who has never experienced love, grief, pain, or fear to capture those feelings on the page? Probably not.
So why would we expect a machine—one that has never lived—to do it?
There are stronger, more advanced AI models coming—but even the best won’t replace great storytelling. Because:
Screenwriting isn’t just about putting words in the right order—it’s about seeing the world in a way only a human can.
What AI can give a screenwriter
- Faster research – Saves a lot of time!
- Idea refinement – It can crystallize ideas buried in your chaotic thoughts.
- Editing & proofreading – Much faster than a human editor.
- Beta reading – At least for logic gaps and inconsistencies.
What AI can’t and won’t do
- Write reactions like a human – AI follows patterns; real people are unpredictable.
- Predict irrational character behavior – Too logical to capture human chaos.
- Master humor (yet) – I tested it, and while AI has potential, it’s still clunky.
What are the real challenges?
The real problem isn’t AI taking jobs—it’s the flood of content AI will create. AI won’t replace writers—but it will drown them out. Soon, Hollywood won’t just be flooded with bad scripts from amateur writers. It’ll be flooded with bad scripts from AI.
The sheer volume of AI-generated scripts, books, and pitches will explode. It’s already hard for screenwriters to break in. Soon, they won’t just be competing with other writers—they’ll be competing with lazy writers using AI to churn out questionable scripts in bulk. Just look at how many ads already promise you can “write a book in a week” with AI. This flood of mediocrity will make it even harder for good stories to stand out.
And here’s the real danger: As content overload increases, the film industry will become even more elitist—raising the barriers higher and favoring established voices over new ones.
So the real challenge isn’t AI taking your job—it’s keeping your voice from getting drowned out in the noise.
Conclusion
I truly believe this isn’t about machines—it’s about the people using them. The real danger lies not in AI itself, but in how we choose to wield it. Like a gun that can’t fire on its own, AI requires someone to pull the trigger.
In the end, AI won’t replace the best screenwriters—but it might expose the weakest ones. The writers who adapt will thrive. The ones who resist will struggle. Rather than fearing AI, we should make it work for us. It can assist, but it will never replace real human insight.
The world is changing in ways we can’t yet predict, but we must adapt. Adaptation isn’t optional—it’s the difference between staying relevant and being left behind.
By Leonid Andronov
Featured photo credit: Jose D. Rodriguez
