In 2025, the hottest late-night host on campus isn't a student—it's a deepfake of a beloved retired professor. Using licensed AI voice models and motion capture from a $200 webcam, students generate weekly talk shows where the "host" interviews real campus guests. The ethical debates are fierce, but the viewership is undeniable.
"Copyright," Julian groaned. "But not normal copyright. The new 2025 automated Content ID system flagged our original content as belonging to a corporate entity. It thinks we're stealing from ourselves. It’s deleting the channel in..." He checked his watch. "Twenty minutes. Four years of campus history, gone. The freshman orientation guides, the local band showcases, the investigative reports on tuition hikes—all gone."
These are documentaries about making Morgpie content. A film student follows a struggling Morgpie collective as they try to go viral. The meta layer is the draw: we watch them fail, pivot, argue about algorithms, and eventually succeed. It’s American Vandal meets The League of Legends esports documentary.
Podcasts and audio content will continue to gain popularity, with more platforms and creators entering the space. The growth of smart speakers and voice assistants will make it easier for audiences to discover and engage with audio content.