Hollywood Strikes Spark AI Negotiation in Broader Creative Industries
Signaling the beginning of the conversation, the Hollywood strikes and approaches to AI extend to a variety of creative industries.
With the recently-ended strike of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the second-longest writers’ strike in Hollywood history, and the continuing strike of the actors’ union, Hollywood has been the center of how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have and will impact human creativity and creators. Nevertheless, it is not the only creative industry undergoing a transition and a challenging navigation.
The immediate aftermath of the WGA strike saw a tentative deal laid on the table, addressing not only traditional labor concerns such as pay and residuals, but also regulations and stipulations related to AI's role in the writers’ rooms. It has ignited conversations in a variety of creative sectors such as advertising, design, fashion, journalism, and publishing.
Historically, labor disputes have been dominated by wage issues and job securities. Yet, this recent strike casts a spotlight on technology's expanding role, marking a narrative shift from workforce automation to workforce augmentation. The WGA's deal mirrors this sentiment, proposing that the introduction of AI should not replace the human essence of content creation and emphasizing that while writers can utilize AI as a tool, they should not be compelled to. Moreover, it champions the "human authorship" standard, aligning with the US Copyright Office's standpoint.
The rise of generative AI indicates a broader change in the professional landscape, with potential implications on job structures. While AI might remodel jobs, it is pivotal to understand its function as an adjunct to human creativity, not a replacement. A harmonious blend of AI and human imagination is perhaps the goal or future for all creative industries, but the road ahead needs to be guided by a few principles:
Supporting human creativity: The essence of stories, designs, and content emanates from the depth of human experiences and emotions. AI's role should be to amplify this essence, not overshadow it.
Protecting creative jobs: Fears of AI-induced unemployment are not irrational, but shunning AI is not the answer. Embracing it as an evolution, much like what Hollywood did in the past with technological advancements, is the way forward. It might just be another chapter of the story.
Regulating for ethical concerns: The AI era brings forth complex challenges about consent, ownership, and authenticity. A collective industry-wide effort is essential to safeguard human creators and their work, and to push for grounded legislation and regulations, ensuring AI's ethical utilization.
Exploring new possibilities: With clearer guidelines and limits to how AI can be used in the creative process, more creators may feel safer and more comfortable taking AI as an ally rather than an adversary. By handling mundane tasks, AI grants artists more time to delve deep into narratives, character arcs, and the human elements of creativity.
As seen across industries, AI is developing at an unstoppable pace, and the Hollywood strikes may only be a beginning of the dialogues and a testament to the winds of change that continues to blow through other creative industries.