Paramount+ Displays AI-Generated Captain Kirk Thumbnail for 'Star Trek II' as Users See Different Artwork
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · May 29
Paramount+ Displays AI-Generated Captain Kirk Thumbnail for 'Star Trek II' as Users See Different Artwork
2 articles · Updated · Kotaku · May 29
Paramount+ served some users a bizarre thumbnail for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" showing Captain Kirk with a glowing red eye and imagery not from the film.
Ryan Estrada flagged the image on Bluesky, and follow-up checks found the standard box art still appeared for some viewers, suggesting the platform was testing or variably delivering alternate artwork.
The report says it is unclear whether a generative-AI system created the image automatically to boost engagement or whether staff uploaded an AI-made asset by mistake.
The incident lands as Paramount's new owner David Ellison pushes to make the company more technologically capable and cut costs, raising fresh questions about AI use in streaming presentation.
When AI makes a mistake, who is truly accountable for the content we see?
As AI 'slop' surfaces on streaming, is the 'enshittification' of entertainment inevitable?