Open letter from co-founder and CEO Sunil Patel hopes industry will continue to support people
An open letter from Whisper CEO and co-founder Sunil Patel has warned of AI’s threat to representation in the industry.
Published in the Guardian, Patel’s letter outlines his belief that representation and diversity are vital for creating high quality content, and that the industry should be wary of AI’s threat to it.
He writes, “Representation is a non-negotiable for us. This doesn’t just mean on-screen talent, it means using our platform to address difficult and challenging issues and to manifest real change across the industry. Whisper will keep confronting this agenda, even if some are choosing to row back.
“Disruption with a purpose is fundamental to impactful storytelling. The ability to subvert and take risks - all while delivering at scale - is ever more critical if we want to cut through. Attention has become one of the world’s most precious and prized commodities, and to engage deliberately, creatively, and with authenticity is the challenge. This is what Whisper does best. We do it every day, staying true to our creative beliefs as we grow into exciting markets, increasing our footprint in the US, Europe, and Middle East.
“It is this treasured authenticity that could be threatened by a lean towards AI-driven content. We are certainly living through a technological revolution that raises not only ethical issues but also questions about the future role of people in the creative process. Absolutely, we embrace technology - but people remain central to delivering quality, instead of volume replacing values and vision.”
While AI, or machine learning, has long been prevalent in content production, its adoption has accelerated since the launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT in 2022. This month alone has seen AI-powered documentaries commissioned, production giants such as Banijay bringing in further AI tools, and plans revealed for a fully-automated, AI-powered, virtual production studio.
The letter was written to mark Whisper’s 15th anniversary, and comes after Patel wrote for Broadcast Sport last month about how the industry needs to do more to promote diverse talent, which you can read here. You can read Patel’s open letter in full below.
Whisper is 15 years old! What a journey it has been. When I think of some of our biggest moments in sport and entertainment, my mind keeps coming back to the people who have been there alongside us, part of us.
So, as we reflect, this is our thank you to everybody who played a role in bringing those moments into your homes and on to your phones. From the Lionesses’ Euro triumphs to Graham Norton spinning the ‘Wheel of Fortune’, it is people who have made life at Whisper fun, engaging, and challenging every day.
A relentless belief in authentic and creative storytelling has seen us achieve more than we ever dreamt of. And having grown up delivering and scouring the ‘Monday Media Guardian’ for entry-level jobs, I thought this was the perfect platform to share our gratitude.
It’s a privilege to work in the sport, media and entertainment sector. We get to collaborate and compete alongside fantastic organisations and people: from our investment journey with Channel 4 and Sony to partnerships with huge sporting bodies, iconic brands, global superstars, and the stars behind the camera - our Whisper team and freelancers. All placing their trust in what we do best - making it happen.
As we mature as a business, and our industry continues to rapidly evolve, the way we choose to mark moments changes. But Whisper’s commitment to our partners remains clear - to tell stories that entertain and impact the world.
“How?” is the biggest question.
Representation is a non-negotiable for us. This doesn’t just mean on-screen talent, it means using our platform to address difficult and challenging issues and to manifest real change across the industry. Whisper will keep confronting this agenda, even if some are choosing to row back.
Disruption with a purpose is fundamental to impactful storytelling. The ability to subvert and take risks - all while delivering at scale - is ever more critical if we want to cut through. Attention has become one of the world’s most precious and prized commodities, and to engage deliberately, creatively, and with authenticity is the challenge. This is what Whisper does best. We do it every day, staying true to our creative beliefs as we grow into exciting markets, increasing our footprint in the US, Europe, and Middle East.
It is this treasured authenticity that could be threatened by a lean towards AI-driven content. We are certainly living through a technological revolution that raises not only ethical issues but also questions about the future role of people in the creative process. Absolutely, we embrace technology - but people remain central to delivering quality, instead of volume replacing values and vision.
We love what we do at Whisper. We love the industry we work in. We love the opportunities it creates. We love that we keep learning; and this, combined with the partnerships nurtured over the past 15 years, means there is so much more to come.
Above all, it’s the people that make it happen, so thanks for being part of our story.
Sunil Patel
Co-Founder & CEO
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