Upcoming ITV Exposure documentary, Terror In The Skies: The Liquid Bomb Plot, has used AI to re-create pivotal scenes from the real-life terror plot that transformed global air travel.
The edition of the Exposure series on ITV1 this Sunday (July 26), about the 2006 liquid bomb plot, has used AI to recreate those involved and key events in the plot.
The producers of ‘Terror In The Skies: The Liquid Bomb Plot’ made by ITV News/ITN worked with Twinnin, a UK-based start-up that enables individuals to upload, license and monetise their likeness and voice for AI use.
Twinnin recruited performers who consented to being part of the project and who will receive an end titles credit. AI VFX Artist and Editor, Andrew Evans, then used the images of the actors to help build the AI characters featured in the documentary.
Their facial features, body shape and physique were transformed using AI prompts to create stylised characters rather than direct digital copies of the contributors.
AI was also used to reconstruct locations, such as the area formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in northwestern Pakistan, where Al Qaeda ran training camps in the early 2000s, that were too dangerous or remote to film in.
Tim Maynard, Senior Producer/Director at ITV News, said: “AI gave us a stylised, impressionistic way to bring key moments of the plot to life while remaining distinct from both archive footage and conventional drama.
“It allowed us to create sequences that feel cinematic and atmospheric, while supporting the factual storytelling at the heart of the film. This story has been told before with real actors – in a conventional manner. We wanted something compelling, ground-breaking and fresh.
“We didn’t need to use actors but are conscious that across the film and TV industry – particularly within drama and movies – a debate is taking place about the use of AI in production.
“As part of our responsible use of AI we wanted to employ actors on our production, rather than step away entirely from having humans involved in the creative process.”
Twinnin CEO & Founder, Katrien Grobler, said: “Twinnin is the world’s first platform where people can verify themselves as human, license their likeness for AI, or protect it from anyone using it without their consent. Being part of the ITV project has been a huge milestone.”
Executive Producer, Natalie Hill, added: “AI is developing rapidly, and there is growing interest across the industry in how it can be used responsibly. We drew up our own guidelines whilst working with the AI editor to encourage good practice.
“It has the potential to become part of the documentary toolkit, but editorial judgement, transparency and human oversight will remain essential.”
Presented by ITV News’ Global Security Editor, Rohit Kachroo, ‘Terror In The Skies: The Liquid Bomb Plot’ tells the story of how, in August 2006, a group of British terrorists came close to smuggling liquid explosives onto multiple transatlantic airliners.
They planned to destroy the planes over the Atlantic or above North American cities, killing thousands of passengers. Had it not been thwarted, the plot could have killed more people than the September 11th terror attacks.
As the threat intensified, MI5, counter-terrorism police and the CIA found themselves locked in a frantic race against time, deploying spies, covert surveillance teams and unprecedented resources to prevent catastrophe.
Featuring exclusive interviews with currently serving officers from MI5, counter-terrorism police and the CIA, as well as the government ministers at the heart of the operation, the documentary uncovers the secret story behind the plot that changed air travel forever.
(AI generated image. Credit: ITV)
Jon Creamer
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