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So, as we can see, using an AI API like Open AI to generate recommendations is a heck of a lot easier than trying to program our own algorithm.

We don't even need to collect television or user data. The AI has already banked television information. Rather than observing the user for some time, we just ask them for a few data points.

And that's why so many companies are moving toward AI. AI may be more expensive to run than a simple algorithmic query, but it's not more expensive than compiling reams upon reams of user-generated data.

AI is also quick. You can implement AI in a flash.

But consider...

As you explore this recommendation engine, there's something to note: You'll probably only get the most popular television shows in existence. You'll be suggested shows like Community, Black Mirror, and Friends.

As a statistical system, the system predicts based on the most common responses. The most common responses are also the most mainstream.

Even if I say that my favorite television show is "Get Millie Black" - a fairly obscure Jamaican detective show in the vein of True Detective - it will still return Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, and The Crown.

As with many things, AI (without fine-tuning) isn't particularly good at this. It's just good enough.

If we wanted to use AI to truly generate better results, we could have better prompting. We could integrate IMDB. We could ask questions that are more along the lines of "Which shows combine drama, passion, and clowns?"

But at the end of the day, it will still just be a predictive system that works because humans are largely predictable.

What's next?

Click to see the results of the following prompts:

Name a good show for me to watch.

What kind of shows are you into? Drama, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, or something else? Also, are you looking for something new or a classic?

Name an obscure television show that I might like if I liked 'Mythic Quest'.

Based on your taste—smart, funny shows with good character dynamics—you might like "The IT Crowd" if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s a British workplace comedy about a dysfunctional IT department, blending tech humor with absurd situations. It has a similar offbeat workplace dynamic to Mythic Quest but with a more classic sitcom structure.

For something more obscure, you might enjoy "Betas" (2013). It’s a short-lived Amazon comedy about a group of awkward but ambitious app developers trying to launch a startup. It has a Silicon Valley vibe but is a little more character-driven and lighthearted.

Let me know if you want something even more niche!

Name a television show that's smart, funny, and with good character dynamics.

You might enjoy The Good Place!

It’s a brilliantly written comedy with smart humor, philosophical depth, and fantastic character dynamics. The show follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who finds herself in the afterlife’s "Good Place" by mistake and tries to become a better person to fit in. The cast chemistry is fantastic, and the show balances comedy with deep ethical questions in a way that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.

If you've already seen The Good Place, I can suggest more—just let me know what vibe you're going for!