Hollywood Doesn't Wanna Say Goodbye to AI
Recently, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have raised concerns across various industries, including Hollywood and the greater media industry.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) sent a list of demands to Hollywood studios, calling for regulation of AI usage in projects covered under their Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). The WGA has demanded that AI not be used to write or rewrite literary material, nor should it be used as source material for training purposes. Additionally, MBA-covered material cannot be used in training AI.
However, Hollywood studios have officially rejected these demands, countering with an offer of annual meetings to discuss technological advancements. It has led to an impasse, with the WGA authorizing a strike in Los Angeles on May 2—the first in 15 years—over AI usage, compensation, and working conditions.
Ellen Stutzman, the chief negotiator for the WGA, called the proposal "reasonable" and said that AI should be kept "out of the business of writing television and movies." She also commented that some guild members had penned the name "plagiarism machine" for AI.
AI has already made its presence felt in Hollywood, as it is used for visual enhancements such as aging actors' appearances, creating stunning visual effects, and handling other visual effects. Compared to other creative industries like music, Hollywood production studios appear to be more open to AI integration. This openness, however, has fueled the growing concerns of film and TV writers in the industry. The initial response of Universal Music Group to AI-generated music on streaming services was a search to have it removed, followed by lawsuits.
The WGA strike highlights the unresolved issues surrounding AI regulation and its impact on the creative process. The ChatGPT AI chatbot, launched by OpenAI in December 2022, is an example of AI threatening writers' livelihoods, as it has been used to generate short stories, beat human job applications, and create malware.
In response to the WGA's demands, studios have offered annual meetings to discuss technological advancements. This approach indicates that Hollywood is willing to engage in conversations about AI's role in the industry but falls short of the regulation and protection that the WGA is seeking.
In an ever-accelerating world of technological wonders, we find ourselves entangled in a complex balance between two seemingly opposing forces: the surge of innovation and the preservation of our uniquely human, intangible gift of creativity. The ongoing battle between the WGA and Hollywood studios underscores the broader implications of AI advancements in the creative industries. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for other industries facing similar concerns and seeking to ensure their protection from the relentless march of AI.
analyst opinion
Marcus Jr.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) sent a list of demands to Hollywood studios, calling for regulation of AI usage in projects covered under their Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). The WGA has demanded that AI not be used to write or rewrite literary material, nor should it be used as source material for training purposes. Additionally, MBA-covered material cannot be used in training AI.
However, Hollywood studios have officially rejected these demands, countering with an offer of annual meetings to discuss technological advancements. It has led to an impasse, with the WGA authorizing a strike in Los Angeles on May 2—the first in 15 years—over AI usage, compensation, and working conditions.
Ellen Stutzman, the chief negotiator for the WGA, called the proposal "reasonable" and said that AI should be kept "out of the business of writing television and movies." She also commented that some guild members had penned the name "plagiarism machine" for AI.
AI has already made its presence felt in Hollywood, as it is used for visual enhancements such as aging actors' appearances, creating stunning visual effects, and handling other visual effects. Compared to other creative industries like music, Hollywood production studios appear to be more open to AI integration. This openness, however, has fueled the growing concerns of film and TV writers in the industry. The initial response of Universal Music Group to AI-generated music on streaming services was a search to have it removed, followed by lawsuits.
The WGA strike highlights the unresolved issues surrounding AI regulation and its impact on the creative process. The ChatGPT AI chatbot, launched by OpenAI in December 2022, is an example of AI threatening writers' livelihoods, as it has been used to generate short stories, beat human job applications, and create malware.
In response to the WGA's demands, studios have offered annual meetings to discuss technological advancements. This approach indicates that Hollywood is willing to engage in conversations about AI's role in the industry but falls short of the regulation and protection that the WGA is seeking.
In an ever-accelerating world of technological wonders, we find ourselves entangled in a complex balance between two seemingly opposing forces: the surge of innovation and the preservation of our uniquely human, intangible gift of creativity. The ongoing battle between the WGA and Hollywood studios underscores the broader implications of AI advancements in the creative industries. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for other industries facing similar concerns and seeking to ensure their protection from the relentless march of AI.
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