Deming in the machine running an AI assisted film (medium.com)

In a recent case study, filmmaker Gregg Gordon Barber explores the integration of W. Edwards Deming’s continuous-improvement philosophy into his AI-assisted film production, "Confederate Ninja." The small animated short illustrates the complexities of utilizing multiple AI assistants, referred to as "chairs," for specific tasks like drafting and auditing the film's manuscript. Instead of experiencing progression, revisions 11 through 14 resulted in no actual changes to the film, highlighting a breakdown in the system caused by an overly rigid file management rule in the master document, the "BIBLE." This led to a focus on trivial file adjustments rather than meaningful creative decisions. Barber's experience underlines a significant lesson for AI and machine learning applications: the importance of adaptive system design. Instead of fixing human errors, the emphasis must be on refining the tools and processes that drive creative projects. By recognizing that the failures were systemic rather than individual, this case study invites AI practitioners to rethink how they structure workflows, ensuring that technology supports rather than hinders artistic endeavors. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries, this reflection on organizational structure and process flexibility holds profound implications for both creative and technical fields.