Conn Iggulden: Genghis Khan TV Series Only Exists Because of AI

Why did Conn Iggulden turn to AI for his Genghis Khan TV series?

Conn Iggulden chose AI because traditional producers found the Genghis Khan series too expensive to make. The historical setting in Mongolia, with extreme cold and remote locations, made conventional filming prohibitive. AI studio Authors First offered a way to finally bring the books to the screen.

Iggulden revealed in an interview with TechRadar that his Genghis Khan novels had been optioned before, but costs were always prohibitive. Mongolia's location between China and Russia, with frozen temperatures on the edge of the Gobi desert, made traditional production extremely difficult.

He said he had given up on the series ever being made without Game of Thrones-level budgets. The AI studio Authors First approached him with a vision to adapt the books faithfully, which convinced him to try the new approach.

What does Conn Iggulden say to critics who call AI films 'slop'?

Iggulden understands the stigma but disagrees. He says AI is just another tool, like a paint roller instead of a brush, and that human craft is still essential. He believes AI will be used subtly in every major project going forward.

Iggulden acknowledged that some creatives, including a young animator he knows, feel AI is a step too far. But he argues that humanity has always adapted to new technology, from trains to cars to GM foods.

He compared the backlash to candlemakers hating lightbulb makers, saying the world moved on. For him, AI is simply the latest tool that requires human creativity and skill to produce extraordinary results.

This debate is not limited to filmmaking. As AI spreads into other areas, from election deepfakes in the 2026 midterms to data centre power consumption, questions about AI's role and impact keep growing.

How does AI filmmaking affect actors and other creative professionals?

Iggulden acknowledges the concern that AI could take work from actors, animators and costume designers. But he argues that projects like his Genghis Khan series would not exist otherwise, creating new opportunities rather than replacing existing ones.

He emphasized that the first Genghis episodes, and hopefully many more, would not exist without Authors First's ambition. Without them, the books would remain unadapted despite their cinematic potential.

Iggulden also values that Authors First aims to stay true to his original vision, unlike some traditional adaptations that change endings or key plot points. He cited Stephen King's The Long Walk as an example of a director altering a crucial ending.

The tension between AI and creative jobs is part of a wider conversation. Recent incidents, such as an AI agent wiping an entire Swedish TV season, show how AI can disrupt production in unexpected ways.

What was it like for Conn Iggulden to see his books come to life with AI?

Iggulden says seeing Genghis and his brothers on screen gave him goosebumps, as the family affection he wrote shines through. But AI struggled with casting, often making characters too beautiful, requiring constant adjustments to achieve gritty realism.

He explained that his books focus on Genghis's family and survival, not just conquest. When AI generated scenes of Genghis and his brothers, Iggulden felt the love and affection he had written come alive.

However, choosing the right faces was a challenge. AI had no frame of reference for casting, and one young woman was generated as too beautiful. Iggulden wanted gritty realism, not a pin-up, so he had to go back and forth with constant adjustments.

This hands-on process shows that AI filmmaking is not a push-button affair. It requires human judgment and iteration, much like traditional filmmaking. As AI tools improve, expect more authors to explore similar adaptations.

Bottom line

Conn Iggulden's Genghis Khan TV series proves AI can make the impossible possible, but it still requires human craft and judgment. As AI tools spread, expect more niche stories to reach screens. Readers should watch how Authors First's adaptation turns out and how the industry balances innovation with creative jobs.