Published Date : 18/08/2025
At the (tail) end of 2024, Billie Eilish sat cross-legged on stage and began to miaow. Her fans erupted in harmony, each belting out an off-key miaow of their own. She knows, they realised! This is because Eilish’s Oscar-winning track What Was I Made For? – a lachrymose Barbie cut lamenting adulthood’s entailing ennui – has become the default soundtrack for a new breed of cat video.
You may recognise it: the song often plays over the top of these AI-generated fantasias featuring a cartoonishly fat cat or an equally buff feline with a suspiciously veiny human body. The cat cheats on her lover, falls pregnant or seeks revenge in a weirdly condensed soap opera. And like all soap operas, these videos are extremely addictive.
Here’s one, for example. While working an honest job, Mr Whiskers – wearing a red flannelette shirt – accidentally cuts his paw off while endeavouring to saw some wood into shape. He is fired (in fact, the signs around his warehouse explicitly state that all workers “must have two arms to work”), his wife divorces him, and he attempts to pick up the pieces of his hard-knock life in 30 neat seconds. It’s all going swimmingly until his scorned ex-wife tries to kill him with an axe a little while later, but all is well … she falls into a puddle and humiliates herself.
In another, a baby falls into shark-infested waters, and a muscly cat (in Capri pants, no less) pounds a great white to death before saving the baby, adopting it, and bringing it home to his Beverly Hills mansion, where the two live happily ever after. Each story is neat, kitsch, and nauseatingly quick – with millions of views.
These AI-generated cat videos have quickly become a sensation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. They blend elements of soap operas with the cuteness and absurdity of cat videos, making them highly engaging and shareable. The use of popular songs like Billie Eilish's 'What Was I Made For?' adds an emotional layer that resonates with viewers, making these videos even more addictive.
The creators of these videos use AI to generate the animations and scripts, allowing for a rapid production pace and a constant stream of new content. This has led to a growing community of fans who eagerly await the next instalment of their favorite cat soap operas. Despite the often disturbing and violent content, the videos have a certain charm that keeps viewers coming back for more.
The popularity of these videos also raises questions about the ethical implications of using AI to create content that can be disturbing or harmful. While the videos are clearly fictional and intended for entertainment, some argue that they could desensitize viewers to violence or promote unrealistic expectations. However, for many, the appeal lies in the absurdity and the emotional journey of the characters.
As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see more innovative and engaging content like these cat soap operas. Whether they will remain a niche phenomenon or become a mainstream form of entertainment remains to be seen. For now, they offer a unique and entertaining glimpse into the world of AI-generated content.
Q: What makes these AI-generated cat videos so addictive?
A: The videos are highly engaging due to their fast-paced, condensed narratives, emotional music, and the cuteness of the cat characters. They blend elements of soap operas with the absurdity of cat videos, making them highly shareable and addictive.
Q: Why are Billie Eilish's songs often used in these videos?
A: Billie Eilish's songs, particularly 'What Was I Made For?', add an emotional layer to the videos. The lachrymose and melancholic tone of the song resonates with the dramatic and often sad stories told in these AI-generated cat videos.
Q: How are these videos created?
A: These videos are created using AI to generate the animations and scripts. This allows for a rapid production pace and a constant stream of new content, making it easier to keep viewers engaged with frequent updates.
Q: Are there any ethical concerns with these videos?
A: Yes, there are ethical concerns about using AI to create content that can be disturbing or harmful. Some argue that these videos could desensitize viewers to violence or promote unrealistic expectations. However, the videos are clearly fictional and intended for entertainment.
Q: What platforms are these videos popular on?
A: These AI-generated cat videos are popular on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where they can reach a wide audience and gain millions of views quickly.