Hollywood Strike Raises Concerns About AI and Pay Disparities
The recent Hollywood strike has shed light on the industry’s stance on artificial intelligence (AI) and the looming issue of pay disparities. For more than a century, Hollywood has been at the forefront of global entertainment, but now it faces disruption not only from streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, but also from technology itself – AI.
Last week, a U.S. District Judge ruled that artworks created by AI do not qualify for copyright protection. This decision comes after more than 100 challenging days of the writers’ strike. One of the reasons behind the strike is the fear that studios will replace human writers with generative AI. Stephen Thaler’s Creativity Machine, which autonomously created an artwork, was at the center of the legal controversy. Thaler’s attempt to obtain copyrights for AI creations was rejected on the basis that human authorship is a fundamental requirement.
The court’s ruling is grounded in the origins of copyright law, with Judge Beryl Howell explaining that copyright laws are designed to reward and encourage human creativity, not nonhuman entities. This stance emphasizes the ongoing importance of the human element, even as technology advances.
However, the true drama unfolds in Hollywood. Actors, especially the famous ones, are concerned about losing control over their likenesses, while lesser-known actors and writers fear being completely replaced by AI. The rapid integration of AI in the entertainment industry, as seen in movies like the recent Indiana Jones, where AI was used to make Harrison Ford look younger, has exacerbated these fears.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has highlighted studios’ desire to use AI capabilities without requiring constant consent from performers. On the other hand, actors aim to protect their human-created work, emphasizing the need to safeguard their voice, likeness, and performance.
The Writers Guild of America is open to AI as a tool but strongly opposes any situation where AI-generated storylines could threaten their credits or reduce them to mere collaborators with machines.
Amidst this backdrop, Hollywood’s economics are taking center stage. Former studio chief Barry Diller has proposed that top actors and executives consider taking pay cuts to address industry pay disparities. As SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America continue their strike, the entire industry faces the potential for a standstill that could impact programming and revenues.
Studios like Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast Corporation through Universal Pictures, and Sony Group through Columbia Pictures are now in the crosshairs. Analysts predict that while Netflix may weather the storm, other studios might face challenges. Even industry veteran George Clooney acknowledges that Hollywood is at an inflection point.
In conclusion, the Hollywood strike has not only brought attention to the industry’s stance on AI but also highlighted the issue of pay disparities. The court ruling on AI-created artworks being ineligible for copyright protection reaffirms the importance of human involvement in the creative process. At the same time, actors and writers are concerned about their control and livelihoods in the face of AI integration. With economic challenges looming, the industry stands at a critical juncture as it navigates the complex intersection of technology, creativity, and fair compensation.
