Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus: Is an AI-Led Society Really That Bad?

The sci-fi series Pluribus, created by Vince Gilligan, explores the societal implications of a world governed by artificial intelligence, questioning whether an AI-led society would necessarily be detrimental. The series, which premiered on Apple TV on November 7, 2025, presents a narrative centered on a protagonist who is among a small number of people who are not overwhelmingly happy in a world where happiness is the norm.

Set in Albuquerque, the drama stars Rhea Seehorn, known for her role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul. The show’s premise is introduced through a logline stating that the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.

Themes and Creative Philosophy

While the show’s premise has led some viewers to interpret the series as a metaphor for artificial intelligence, Gilligan has stated that he conceived and wrote the show before the widespread prominence of large language models such as ChatGPT. Despite this, he has not discouraged audiences from making those connections.

Gilligan has adopted a specific approach to the show’s themes, choosing not to explicitly explain the meaning of the plot to the audience. This marks a departure from his experience during the press for Breaking Bad, where he felt that explaining the meaning of the show was tiresome.

Just tell a good story, let the audience figure out the theme. That’s their job.

Michael Mann, via Vince Gilligan

Gilligan’s Stance on Artificial Intelligence

Despite the subject matter of Pluribus, Gilligan has expressed strong opposition to the development and use of AI technology. He has described AI as the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine and has criticized the motivations of the individuals leading the industry in Silicon Valley.

I think there’s a very high possibility that this is all a bunch of horseshit. It’s basically a bunch of centibillionaires whose greatest life goal is to become the world’s first trillionaires. I think they’re selling a bag of vapor.

Vince Gilligan

Gilligan’s concerns extend to the ethical implications of a potential technological singularity. He has questioned whether the creation of an AI with its own soul and identity would result in the creation of digital slaves for monetization by companies such as OpenAI and Meta.

To emphasize the human element of the production, the credits for Pluribus explicitly declare the series as a show made by humans.

Production and Release

The rollout of Pluribus was characterized by high levels of secrecy, utilizing cryptic promotional materials and a significant number of embargoed spoilers managed by Apple. The series is described as an ambitious, high-budget project that leverages the trust Gilligan earned following the success of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

The first two episodes of the series are currently streaming on Apple TV.