NEED TO KNOW
- The Block 2026 is using AI for animations, talking animals, and music to spice up its storytelling.
- Channel Nine says it’s just another creative tool, not a replacement for the show’s heart.
- Fans are divided — some love the fun factor, others find it off-putting.
Whether we like it or not, AI is everywhere these days, and it turns out, even our favourite reality TV shows have turned to it to add a little *pizzazz*.
Fans of The Block have been left surprised to see that AI has become a pretty big part of the season so far, with some thinking it’s a bit of fun and others sharing their disdain for the new addition.
From the judges encouraging the contestants to use it for their interior design planning to the edit itself, which has included funky little jingles and, surprisingly, lots of animals, AI has been in almost every episode so far.
In the first episode of the season, during the introductory interviews with the new teams, the producers asked father-daughter duo Rick and Tayla what animals they would be channelling while on the show.
“A horse!” Tayla said excitedly. “Because it’s the year of the horse and I’m going in galloping and I’m not going to stop until I win the race.”
While she was speaking, an AI horse was put into a clip of one of the properties and was seen galloping through the structure.
When she asked her dad what he’d be, Rick replied that he’d be a monkey, explaining his choice because he’s “up and down ladders and climbs around walls”.
However, it wasn’t Rick saying it — instead, it was a talking monkey head.
Cue major confusion from fans.
Channel Nine responds to use of AI in the new season
David Barbour, the show’s post-production Executive Producer, told WHO that The Block wants to continue being inventive with how it creatively tells stories.
“The Block has always embraced new ways of telling stories, which has been one of the reasons the show is now 22 seasons in. This season, AI has become another creative tool in our storytelling toolkit.”
He continued, “The heart of The Block remains exactly the same: great contestants, genuine emotion, incredible renovations and plenty of laughs. AI simply gives us more creative options to amplify those moments in entertaining and unexpected ways.
“Whether it’s the playful animations, talking animals or original music, AI gives our post-production team new ways to bring humour, personality and energy to moments that might previously have been difficult to communicate in an entertaining way. It’s not replacing the storytelling, it’s enhancing it.”
Barbour said that given that the show attracts “an incredibly broad audience,” including young children through to grandparents, the team wanted to “lean into tools that surprise people”.
Fans divided over AI use on The Block
Fans have been left seriously divided over the AI use on the show, with one passionate viewer writing, “I love the Block, BUT, if you continue with this AI s–t, I’m done.”
This was something several other people couldn’t understand, with another agreeing, “Whyyyy for the love of God did production think that what people wanted was AI-generated content?”
“WTF is with all the AI use this season?” questioned a third on X, with someone else responding, “Gemini was included as a sponsor last year, but it didn’t feel as forced.”
Others defended it, saying “AI is the way everything is going, whether we like it or not… Just enjoy the show, or don’t watch it.”
“My kids thought it was very funny!” one parent responded.
Given how prevalent AI is now, we should probably have expected the major networks to start using it onscreen, and at the end of the day they just see it as a bit of fun.
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