There’s no question about it, AI is continuing to take root in every aspect of our society. From ChatGPT answering personal and professional questions, to Hollywood (and its fans) freaking out over ‘actress’ Tilly Norwood, artificial intelligence has caused quite a stir. The latest hiccup to occur in the wide-ranging discourse is Saturday Night Live alumnus Kyle Mooney. After using the modern tool to create a video for a song denouncing general tech advancement, he’s apologizing...or is it faux-pologizing?
As one of the four to exit after SNL Season 47, Mooney had already made a name for himself in the comedy world. Regularly known for his cringe-worthy antics and odd-man-out humor, he loves to blur social lines. His latest foray, an album entitled The Real Me, is par for the course, though he claims it to be the antithesis.
That’s where the project's track “Digital Society” and its AI-riddled video come into play. While the single talks about how much screens have altered our every day, it’s an entirely artificial visual edit. He followed up the initial ‘viral’ debut with an apology post, warning of the new advancement and the potential dangers associated with it. It's such a high-reaching level of satire that Mooney seems entirely convincing. Check it out!
This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to write. As most of you know, I am currently going viral, but for all the wrong reasons. My latest video for the song “Digital Society” uses a new technology that poses serious issues, and I just want to say - I’m sorry.
Whether or not this is fodder that rivals Kyle Mooney’s best sketches is hard to say, since he isn't letting anyone else in on the joke just yet. Discerning his gags can be a little tricky for those who haven’t been up on his comedic ways in the past, such as the slow-burn cringe of his Netflix series Saturday Morning All Star Hits! Regardless of where you stand, plenty of people across the web are rumbling about it.
The Y2K creator then relayed more details about artificial intelligence, and how his friend Riley convinced him to use the increasingly popular approach. After utilizing it, Mooney admitted that he feels bad about opting to use it iin a song meant to guide listeners away from Big Tech. He then shared that he'd rather make songs akin to his “Blue Car” and “Kid on the Range,” though he’ll keep the AI video up as an "example." Here's his deadpan explanation:
I have decided that I’m going to keep the Digital Society video online, as an example of what not to do, and I would encourage you to share Riley’s video with your friends and family, along with better better videos I did by myself, so they can see the difference between right and wrong. The more viral these videos are, the more we’ll finally understand about the dangers of using technology Riley uses.
After his closing sentiment regarding the lessons we can all learn, Kyle Mooney closed by stating he’ll do better and is always open for critiques. As a Mooney fan, it’s hard for me to read this in any other light than a goofy bit, especially after he and Beck Bennett joined ranks with great Hollywood-hosted podcasters by talking about nothing. Try doing that, A.I.
Even though we may never hear Mooney admit to this being a joke, I’d just like to know if Riley actually exists. In the meantime, check out the full post yourself, and the picture of him with a baby and an I Voted sticker:
Hopefully there are some questions answered here for you if you aren’t a part of the fandom. If you’re just more confused now, sorry! Wherever you stand, the Brigsby Bear actor certainly knows how to run with an idea. Earlier this year we saw Mooney on the 2025 TV schedule during the big SNL anniversary show collaborating with current stars and other alumni.
While it's likely we won’t see Kyle Mooney among Season 51’s hosts or musical acts, maybe this AI-centric apology could at least score him a cameo? My fingers are crossed over here! Until then, watch all of his Studio 8H classics with a Peacock subscription.
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