Artificial intelligence is taking jobs in Hollywood

[New Three Talents Compilation and First Release] The strike in Hollywood is still going on, but it is hardly noticed. That's a conundrum for members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). Because their demands and plight are not widely concerned.

Yes, crowds are still gathering at the demonstration site, and press conferences are still going on.

But something very different is going on behind the scenes, and that kind of thing probably doesn't bode well for "human" actors.

The current strike was initially sparked by pay-related issues.

This time around, however, the central question revolves around the role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in creating, producing and marketing entertainment content in the future.

As far as labor negotiations are concerned, the problems caused by AI are like an elephant in the room that cannot be ignored. This situation is indeed unprecedented.

The strikers are seeking a deal to create safeguards across the industry to regulate the expansion of AI technology.

Advances in artificial intelligence are putting the law to the test, especially the way courts apply, interpret and rule on cases involving intellectual property.

Comedian Sarah Silverman has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta and OpenAI in federal court.

The case is part of a proposed class action.

In particular, Silverman alleges that books she authored were included in the data used to train the AI without her authorized consent.

There is no doubt that actors and writers have legitimate concerns about losing their livelihoods. After all, AI has the potential to allow studios to simulate the look and voice of actors indefinitely without any form of compensation for the use of individual identities, traits, roles, etc.

Let's not forget that in addition to human writers, AI is also capable of writing screenplays.

Regarding the strike, SAG-AFTRA chairman Fran Drescher, best known for his role on the 90s sitcom The Nanny, said: "If we don't step up now, we're all going to be in trouble. "The future is in big trouble, and we are all in danger of being replaced by machines."

Bob Iger, one of the main targets of the union's protests, has made it clear that AI-generated images and videos are "something that Disney, Inc. will embrace at some point in the future."

Actor Bryan Cranston addressed the Disney CEO directly to the crowd gathered in Times Square, saying, "We have a message for Mr. Iger. Sir, I know you will speak differently. perspective on things.”

"We don't expect you to understand who we are, but we ask that you listen to us, and listen to us when we tell you we won't have our jobs replaced by robots."

Generally speaking, the main purpose of strikes is to increase bargaining chips with management.

The sad truth, however, is that strikes, including those by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), have prompted Hollywood employers to think more aggressively about the use of AI in order to prevent more strikes in the future.

The response from studios may have been half-hearted, but AI technology makes it possible for entertainment industry employers to avoid future strikes entirely, or by drastically reducing or even eliminating traditional creative workers.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group of film studios, has made clear its position that AI should be applied in what they describe as a balanced approach "based on prudent use rather than prohibition".

Judging from the actions alone, it seems that major film and television companies are silently embracing artificial intelligence technology.

In fact, there's a massive AI hiring drive underway right now, with just about every major entertainment company involved.

Disney has many open positions focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Netflix is offering similar job opportunities, including an AI product manager position that promises up to $900,000 a year.

Sony is looking for what they call an AI "ethical" engineer.

Warner Bros. Discovery Channel, Paramount, and NBCUniversal have also joined the wave of AI hiring, launching their own in-demand positions.

It seems significant that Hollywood studios are looking to fill AI-related jobs, especially if the strike is about the use of AI.

Combine that with the fact that employees now have to deal with the fact that Disney is laying off 7,000 employees, one of the largest layoffs in the history of the entertainment industry.

From ancient times to the present, new inventions have almost always replaced labor in history.

Now, however, something very different is happening.

This may be related to the simultaneous philosophical, political, social, cultural and moral changes taking place in our country and globally.

The strike in Hollywood is likely to go on for a long time, and it may not produce satisfactory results for union members.

Is what's happening in Hollywood a harbinger of where the world is headed?

(Author: James Hirsen)

(Compilation: Chen Bingxuan)

(Editor in charge: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: New Sancai first release)