Zero frames of AI used in Blue Planet III, BBC confirms

The BBC has confirmed that no generative artificial intelligence was used in the production of its new nature series, Blue Planet III.

The series was first conceived as a follow-up to Blue Planet II, which aired nearly ten years ago and focused on plastic pollution. The original Blue Planet series debuted 25 years prior. The new installment arrives with a stated focus on animal behavior and advanced filming technology.

The production team filmed for four years across five oceans. They developed specific equipment for the project, including an underwater CCTV camera nicknamed the "stonefish" cam, a mini-dome camera for following octopuses, and a device described as a deep-sea selfie stick. Camera operators used leg-mounted scooters and lasers to capture footage in deep waters.

Executive producer Elizabeth White explained that the team intentionally kept footage that appeared cloudier or less polished. In previous productions, scenes with plankton, boats, or buoys in the water were often removed or framed out. For this series, those details were retained to emphasize the organic nature of the footage.

White stated that the rise of AI makes the team want to be even more authentic. She noted that the animals filmed in the deep ocean are likely more remarkable than AI could imagine. The team expects to lean further into murkier imagery as AI technology grows.

Jack Bootle, the BBC's head of specialist factual commissioning, addressed journalists at a press screening. He made a first-of-its-kind assurance that no generative AI was used in the series, confirming that every frame is real photography. He described the series as bursting with novel behavior during a golden age of natural history-making.

The footage includes new sightings of dolphins using sea sponges to block holes in coral and trap fish. This behavior was recorded using the underwater CCTV developed by producer and director Yoland Bosiger. Other sequences show a grouper communicating with another fish species, 200,000 crabs lining up to feed, and sea urchins using shells as sun hats.

The series also examines threats to the ocean. One episode depicts how warmer seas are killing the sea anemones where clownfish live. The fish are shown trying to repair their homes. The plastics theme from the previous series continues with a story on pollutants and forever chemicals.

Narrator David Attenborough, who is 100 years old, was involved in making changes to scripts. White said he remains excited when shown new footage. The series is noted for saving money by using more local crews on location than earlier productions.

Blue Planet III begins airing on BBC1 and iPlayer on Sunday, 1 November.