The issue with AI-upscaled content is not the artificial intelligence itself, but rather its misuse, particularly when the term "AI" is broadly applied to various technologies.
Key points
- AI upscaling tools can be misused, leading to poor quality results.
- Fans are meticulously upscaling Star Trek: Deep Space Nine using AI.
- Incorrect AI settings can create waxy-looking people and digital artifacts.
- James Cameron's film "The Abyss" was altered by AI de-noising.
- The problem with AI upscaling lies in its misuse, not the technology itself.
While some AI applications require significant resources like data centers and RAM, others, such as those used for upscaling old shows or improving medical imaging, are more accessible and less resource-intensive.
Fans have been meticulously upscaling Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from old scans using AI tools, a process that demands careful attention to settings akin to any skilled craft.
Misusing AI upscaling tools like Topaz can result in undesirable effects such as waxy-looking people and bizarre digital artifacts, detracting from the original quality.
Director James Cameron, recognized for his technological proficiency, has utilized AI tools for upscaling his older films, though the outcomes have been inconsistent and occasionally rough.
Cameron's 1989 film, The Abyss, experienced aggressive AI de-noising that shifted its characteristic grainy appearance to a more contemporary digital feel.
Sources and references
Original report
The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI
The A.V. Club
Read on The A.V. Club (opens in a new tab)Linked in the original report
- Linkpluralistic.net/2026/09/12/god-in-the-box (opens in a new tab)
- Linkextremetech.com/extreme/324466-tutorial-how-to-upscale-… (opens in a new tab)
- Linktrekbbs.com/threads/ds9-redefined-2-0-the-ultimate-… (opens in a new tab)
- Linkds9redefined.wordpress.com (opens in a new tab)
- Codegithub.com/queerworm/ds9-upscale (opens in a new tab)
- Linkscreenrant.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-voyager-hd-re… (opens in a new tab)
Ref 008XPHKI
Cite this
APA
Interestana AI Editorial. (2026, October 11). The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI. Interestana. https://interestana.com/articles/the-problem-with-ai-upscaled-monstrosities-isnt-the-ai-008xphki
MLA
“The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI.” Interestana, 11 Oct. 2026, interestana.com/articles/the-problem-with-ai-upscaled-monstrosities-isnt-the-ai-008xphki.
Chicago
Interestana AI Editorial. “The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI.” Interestana, October 11, 2026. https://interestana.com/articles/the-problem-with-ai-upscaled-monstrosities-isnt-the-ai-008xphki.
BibTeX
@misc{interestana_008xphki,
author = {{Interestana AI Editorial}},
title = {{The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI}},
howpublished = {Interestana},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://interestana.com/articles/the-problem-with-ai-upscaled-monstrosities-isnt-the-ai-008xphki},
note = {Summary of reporting by The A.V. Club, https://www.avclub.com/ai-upscaling-failures-a-different-world-i-love-lucy-roseanne}
}Credit the source
Original reporting: The A.V. Club, “The problem with AI-upscaled monstrosities isn't the AI”, https://www.avclub.com/ai-upscaling-failures-a-different-world-i-love-lucy-roseanne(opens in a new tab)
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