In a historic move, both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have jointly initiated a strike against major Hollywood studios, a first since 1960. The strike centers around a contentious issue that is shaking the foundation of the entertainment industry—the use and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the heart of the matter lies a fear that AI could replace human talent and creativity, jeopardizing the livelihoods of actors and writers alike.
AI, once a fantastical concept explored in Hollywood films, is now a reality that both guilds view as a serious threat. With the rise of AI-powered text generators like ChatGPT and Midjourney, the concern is that AI could not only write screenplays but also create digital characters using actors’ images without any human involvement.
Actor Bryan Cranston, famous for his role in “Breaking Bad,” passionately voiced his support for the strike at a recent rally, exclaiming, “We will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We will not allow you to take away our dignity.” This sentiment echoes the concerns shared by many in the entertainment industry who fear that AI could encroach upon the creative space traditionally reserved for human talent.
However, experts in the field suggest that a complete ban on AI technology might not be feasible. Haibing Lu, an associate professor of Information Systems & Analytics at Santa Clara University, emphasizes the need for adaptation. All parties involved must find a way to navigate the influx of AI and determine how to distribute its profits fairly.
The utilization of AI in filmmaking has already seen considerable progress, with digital resurrection and de-aging of actors being just some examples of AI’s impact on the industry. The underlying issue, though, is the sourcing of training data for AI applications. AI models, including those used for text and image generation, require massive amounts of existing content to learn from and build upon. This raises questions about the ownership and compensation for the creators of this training data.
Justine Bateman, an actor, writer, and director, describes the process of training AI as akin to “a box” that learns from existing content and then produces new material based on those learnings. For artists like Bateman, the concern is not just about AI replacing their work but potentially appropriating their own creative contributions to fuel AI-generated content.
As the strike continues, Hollywood stands at a crossroads. While the debate over the role of AI in filmmaking rages on, the technology’s limitations also play a significant role. AI’s power is constrained by computing capabilities, the availability of training material, and the time required for processing. At present, generating text through AI is more accessible and cost-effective than generating images and video.
However, AI’s rapid advancements are undeniable. Computing power doubles every one to two years, paving the way for the possibility of AI producing more complex content in the future. This evolution could redefine the landscape of entertainment, sparking further discussions about its potential impact on artistic integrity and creative expression.
While the guilds and studios continue their negotiations, the implications of AI extend beyond Hollywood. Pending lawsuits over AI’s involvement in creative fields could influence industries beyond entertainment, such as music, publishing, and journalism. The question of whether AI can be considered an author, capable of creating copyrightable works, is a matter that could have far-reaching consequences for the workforce as a whole.
Ultimately, the future of AI in Hollywood remains uncertain. Would audiences be receptive to movies and TV shows fully created by machines? Could AI-generated content ever replicate the emotional depth and authenticity that human artists bring to their craft? As the strike presses on, it is evident that the impact of AI on the entertainment industry is a profound and far-reaching topic that requires thoughtful consideration and collaboration from all stakeholders involved.
In this era of technological advancements, it is clear that the union between AI and human creativity has the potential to shape the course of storytelling and art. The question now is how to strike a balance that embraces innovation while safeguarding the essence of human expression.
