Meta AI’s Vibes, a continuous flow of AI-created videos presented by creators, debuted on the Meta AI app and website on Friday. It represents what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg originally envisioned when crafting Facebook. While still at Harvard, Zuckerberg shared with a prospective partner his desire to establish a social network centered on endless scrolling instead of job searching, stating, “I kind of want to be the new MTV,” according to a 2010 article on Facebook’s inception.
During my day spent delving into Vibes’ infinite scroll, I observed that many videos resembled brief 10-second music video snippets. Similar to Instagram Reels, you can select music to complement your Vibe. Some videos imitate cheesy ’80s music clips, while others exhibit a quirky ’90s Spike Jonze or Michel Gondry flair. The AI-generated pet videos, frequently showcasing cats in comfy surroundings or dogs sprinting through fields, seem like scenes from a dystopian universe where MTV and the Hallmark Channel have combined.
This is not meant as a critique; I have cherished music videos since my youth, and they continue to inspire me during my workouts on the rowing machine. The top ones, typically crafted by up-and-coming directors, narrate engaging stories. Without a storyline, even the most stunning visuals can lose their appeal swiftly.
The challenge with Vibes is that despite being visually captivating, none of the clips convey a story. After a day of scrolling, it becomes evident why users label Meta’s newest offering as an “infinite slop machine.”
Is Vibes the future of AI video?
There is an abundance of fascinating AI art that narrates a story and lingers in your mind. We’ve showcased inventive pieces like a clever food-themed body horror video that gained popularity on Reddit. The discourse about AI’s influence on artists’ rights is ongoing, with a significant case making progress after a judge declined to dismiss it.
AI-generated video is now prevalent. YouTube permits AI videos in shorts, and platforms like Imagine and Midjourney are competing to provide clips. We are in the era of AI-generated video, whether one likes it or not, so it’s prudent to learn how to identify fake videos.
If Vibes signifies the future of AI video art, artists needn’t be concerned. Most artists recognize the significance of display and context; art frequently needs negative space. Vibes packs videos tightly like a 19th-century gallery with constrained wall areas, a method that has fallen out of fashion for good reason.
The endless shorts grew tedious, seldom leaving a significant impact. A notable exception was a clip featuring Tom Hanks and Donald Trump sprinting through a cornfield, with Hanks appearing frightened and Trump sporting long hair. It was unclear whether Trump was pursuing or racing, but it was unforgettable.
Vibes also showcases AI video’s advancements. In this curated collection, there were few instances of AI blunders like extra fingers or limbs. Occasionally, there was something a bit askew, such as people at the beach overlooking nearby dinosaurs.
The problem isn’t the Uncanny Valley but the absence of depth. Younger audiences might relish the visual novelty for hours, but mature minds necessitate more than just novelty. Our brains are wired for storytelling, which made Facebook’s infinite scroll captivating. We exchanged stories and forged community narratives. Vibes represents the video equivalent of AI content that has arguably rendered Zuckerberg’s social network less engaging.
In one aspect, Zuckerberg is nearing his MTV aspiration. However, in terms of storytelling that keeps us captivated, Meta’s infinite slop machine is still far from realization.
This column represents the views of the writer.