- Tech Journalist
Hollywood writers fear the possibility of AI taking over their roles and leading to unemployment in
Hollywood writers fear the possibility of AI taking over their roles and leading to unemployment in their industry.
The future of AI in the entertainment industry remains a subject of debate, with both sides presenting valid points for discussion. Hollywood screenwriter Michelle Amor has expressed her fear about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on her profession, as she and other television and film writers in the US have been on strike since May. They are demanding that studios and streaming companies agree to limitations on the use of AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT, insisting that AI should only be used for research and not to replace human writers.
Amor strongly opposes the use of AI in screenwriting, arguing that human art needs protection and cannot be replaced by artificial creations. Melissa Rundle, another screenwriter, was initially surprised by how quickly ChatGPT became a central issue in the labor dispute. However, she acknowledges that AI is likely here to stay and believes that writers are merely seeking basic protections against potential exploitation by employers.
Comedian and screenwriter Elliott Kalan shares concerns that studio executives may use AI to generate original ideas for movies and TV series, which could lead to writers losing proper compensation for their work. Despite this, Kalan acknowledges the potential for AI to assist writers as an optional tool for organizing information and communicating ideas.
Scott Rowe, a spokesperson for The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios and streamers like Warner Bros Discovery, Disney, Netflix, and Apple, recognizes the creative and legal questions raised by AI. He believes that AI should be part of the creative process without changing how credits are determined, even though AI-generated material cannot be copyrighted.
Chun Xia, a founding partner of a technology investment firm in Silicon Valley, envisions a future where sitcom writers use AI-generated scripts as a foundation for further development. He believes that AI algorithms analyzing existing scripts and audience responses can be combined with human creativity to optimize comedic impact and character development.
On the other hand, writer John Pollono is not impressed with the idea of AI writing first drafts of scripts, calling it messed up and incestual. He fears that writers' voices may be compromised in this process. However, fellow screenwriter Sara Bibel disagrees, saying that AI is incapable of creative writing and merely regurgitates pre-existing content.
In conclusion, the ongoing strike by US writers reflects their concerns about the potential ramifications of AI on their livelihoods and the creative process. While some see opportunities for collaboration between AI and human writers, others fear that AI could replace originality and uniqueness in storytelling.
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