BBFC GOES HIGH-TECH! U.K. RATINGS BOARD USES AI TO SORT HBO MAX
The British Board of Film Classification just revealed it built a custom AI tool to classify HBO Max's massive library before the streaming giant launched in the U.K.
Move over, clipboard-carrying critics—the U.K. ratings game just got a robot upgrade! According to Variety, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) developed its very first custom AI tool to tackle the gargantuan task of sorting through HBO Max's entire catalogue ahead of the streamer's U.K. debut earlier this year.
The BBFC spilled the beans in its 2025 annual report, revealing how the high-tech assist helped the venerable ratings body keep up with the sheer volume of content that needed classification before HBO Max's launch. It's the first time the BBFC—Britain's official film and video ratings authority—has deployed AI for classification support in its history.
While the tool handled the heavy lifting, it's worth noting the BBFC didn't hand over the keys entirely. The custom AI was built to *support* the classification process, suggesting human experts were still very much in the loop making final calls on ratings. Welcome to the future, Buzz readers—where AI helps organize the binge-watch buffet!
Sources · Variety