HOLLYWOOD’S AI AMBITION: Studios Get Green Light to Train AI on Writers’ Gems
Yes, film and television writers are still on strike.. but maybe not for long
After nearly five months of negotiations, Hollywood studios and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have reached a tentative agreement to resolve their differences. The agreement is expected to bring an end to the strike and ensure fair treatment for writers.
One of the key aspects of the agreement involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. Hollywood studios will retain the right to train AI models using the work of writers, but with this comes a significant win for the writers themselves.
They will now receive credit and compensation for their work on scripts, even if AI tools are partially utilized.
The use of generative AI has become increasingly prevalent in the entertainment industry, with advanced technologies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT gaining popularity. These AI bots are trained on vast amounts of data to provide humanlike responses to user inquiries.
The fear among writers was that studios would use AI tools without giving proper credit or compensation. However, the tentative agreement between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) ensures that writers will be recognized for their contributions and fairly rewarded.
While specific details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, both parties are expected to make them public after the WGA leadership votes on the deal, which is anticipated to happen soon.
Throughout the negotiations, wage increases and minimum staffing requirements for writers’ rooms were also topics of contention. However, the issue of AI use by studios stood out prominently. Entertainment companies see great potential in utilizing AI tools to enhance various aspects of production, including summarizing scripts, creating special effects, and streamlining promotional marketing.
The tentative agreement between Hollywood studios and the Writers Guild of America is a positive step forward for the industry. It ensures that writers’ contributions will be acknowledged and compensated, even in the era of AI. The final details of the agreement will soon be revealed, bringing a much-needed resolution to the months-long strike that has impacted the entertainment world.
