What happened in this Culture story?

Artists behind Olivia Rodrigo's Chappell Roan-assisted 'Expectations' remix video released behind-the-scenes footage of hand-drawn and 3D animations to debunk viewer accusations that generative AI was used in the clip.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**Jack Harrison** led the analog treatment for the 'Expectations' remix video; the art team used 2D and 3D software, plugged designs into a Windows Vista PC, and filmed the animations on screen through a hi-res camera.

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**Viewer accusations** of AI centered on a scene around the three-minute mark with retro logos and animations, where inconsistencies on Rodrigo and Roan's fingers were cited as proof of generative AI.

📎 SkimNews has covered Olivia Rodrigo 14+ times · see the file →

Artists Debunk AI Claims in Olivia Rodrigo 'Expectations' Video — SkimNews

By Rolling Stone · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-10-19

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Jack Harrison led the analog treatment for the 'Expectations' remix video; the art team used 2D and 3D software, plugged designs into a Windows Vista PC, and filmed the animations on screen through a hi-res camera.
Viewer accusations of AI centered on a scene around the three-minute mark with retro logos and animations, where inconsistencies on Rodrigo and Roan's fingers were cited as proof of generative AI.
Rodrigo told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month she has a 'hard line' against AI in her music, saying she and producer Dan Nigro once tested ChatGPT for song title ideas and found them 'all fucking awful.'
Rodrigo's official fan account @LiviesHQ compiled drafts of drawings, recordings of 3D animations, and other process footage to demonstrate no AI was involved.
The 'Expectations' video parodies retro game shows including The Price Is Right, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, and a Family Feud spoof called 'Sister Squabble.'
David Byrne appeared as a game show host, while drag queen Aquaria and punk duo the Venus Twins made cameos in the parody segments.

Why it matters: With AI accusations increasingly common around any visual oddity, the hand-drawn, analog-treated production behind 'Expectations' shows that non-digital techniques can produce the exact artifacts (uneven fingers) viewers associate with generative AI — and reinforces Rodrigo's stated refusal to use AI in her creative work.