What AI Thinks about Hollywood’s AI Problem

Addressing the WGA and SAG Conflicts and the Path Forward

As active members of the Writers Guild of America, Jackie & Bryce Zabel decided to turn the tables and ask ChatGPT how AI impacts writers and actors in Hollywood, and what the AMPTP should be doing to end this crippling summer strike.

Writers believe in fair and reasonable credits. Therefore, we remind you the credit for this article is: “Written by ChatGPT.”

Note to studio and streamer executives: Is it possible that ChatGPT has a better plan for making a deal with writers and actors than you do?

Introduction

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) in Hollywood is not just a technological advancement; it has become a multifaceted problem involving writers, actors, and producers. The complex issues between the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have magnified with AI’s interference. This article explores the challenges, implications, and offers a pathway to resolve the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, focusing primarily on the WGA, but also shedding light on the SAG’s struggles.

Part I: The WGA’s Battle with AI

A. The Threat to Creativity

1. AI-Generated Content: With AI algorithms generating scripts, the very essence of creative writing is at stake. Writers argue that machines lack the depth of human emotion, cultural understanding, and nuanced storytelling.
2. The Authorship Dilemma: Who owns an AI-written script? How are residuals handled? The legal ambiguities surrounding AI authorship present an urgent problem.

B. The Financial Implications

1. Reduced Opportunities: AI threatens job security for writers by automating certain writing tasks, leading to fewer opportunities and financial instability.
2. Compensation Models: The rise of AI necessitates a reevaluation of compensation models for writers. The current models do not cover AI-generated content, leaving writers at a disadvantage.

C. Ethical Concerns

1. AI Bias: AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes and biases, hindering the industry’s progress toward diversity and inclusion.
2. Human vs Machine: The ethical debate over human creativity versus machine efficiency is central to the WGA’s stance. How can the unique human perspective be preserved in an AI-driven world?

D. What the AMPTP Can Do for the WGA

The ongoing negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA have reached a critical point. Writers are demanding fair wages, better residuals, and, perhaps most importantly, assurance that AI won’t replace them as screenwriters. Here’s what the AMPTP should consider if they genuinely want to make a deal with the writers:

1. Acknowledge and Respect the Writers’ Concerns: Recognizing the valid fears that writers have about AI taking over their jobs is the first step towards meaningful dialogue. Dismissing these concerns will only deepen mistrust.
2. Provide Assurance on AI’s Role: The writers are not seeking to ban AI altogether, but they are worried about its potential to rewrite scripts or reduce their credit and pay. The AMPTP should be clear about how they intend to use AI and reassure the writers that human creativity will remain at the heart of the creative process.
3. Develop Clear Guidelines: A comprehensive framework that outlines the acceptable use of AI within the industry will demonstrate AMPTP’s commitment to preserving human jobs. The guidelines should provide writers with latitude to utilize AI as a tool, without allowing it to supplant their role.
4. Engage in Transparent Negotiation: Open dialogue and a willingness to negotiate in good faith will go a long way in reaching an agreement. Any perception of stalling or underhanded tactics will erode trust. Recent shocking quotes from unnamed studio executives about allowing things to drag on until union members suffer financially do not bode well for open negotiation.
5. Consider the Broader Impact: The current strike and negotiations are not isolated incidents. They are part of a larger debate around AI and labor, with potential implications across various industries. Striking a fair and balanced agreement with the writers could set a precedent for future discussions in other fields.
6. Show Empathy for Livable Wages: The AMPTP must recognize that many of those involved in these strikes, including actors, earn barely livable wages. This struggle is not only about industry giants but the livelihoods of individuals who make the industry thrive.
7. Embrace Collaboration: Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human talent, the AMPTP should promote it as a collaborative tool that can enhance the creative process. This perspective could ease tensions and pave the way for a more productive partnership between human writers and AI.
8. Maintain Focus on Copyright Issues: Concerns around copyright, as demonstrated by lawsuits from creative personalities like Sarah Silverman, must be part of the discussion. Clarity on how original content will be used and protected is vital.
9. Offer Concrete Compensation Plans: If any form of likeness or intellectual property is to be used in connection with AI, clear compensation plans must be outlined to avoid future disputes.
10. Build Public Trust: The AMPTP should remember that public perception matters. Acting in good faith and showing a commitment to ethical practices can strengthen their position in the eyes of the public.

Part II: The SAG’s Struggle with AI

A. The Digitalization of Acting

1. Deepfake Technology: AI-generated deepfakes can replicate an actor’s performance, raising concerns about consent, compensation, and artistic integrity.
2. CGI Resurrection: The posthumous recreation of actors using CGI questions the ethical boundaries of digital technology in acting.

B. The Financial Concerns

1. AI and Residuals: The use of AI in creating performances could lead to a decline in residuals for actors. A clear understanding of how actors are compensated for AI-generated work is lacking.
2. Job Security: Like writers, actors face the threat of reduced opportunities as AI technology advances. This leads to concerns about job security and income stability.

C. What the AMPTP Can Do for the SAG

1. Negotiate Clear Guidelines: Create clear guidelines on the use of deepfake technology, CGI resurrection, and other AI-driven tools in acting. Include actors in these decisions.
2. Fair Compensation Models: Work with SAG to develop models that fairly compensate actors for AI-generated content and protect their residuals.
3. Preserve Artistic Integrity: Engage in transparent dialogue to preserve the unique contributions of human actors, balancing technology’s benefits with artistic integrity.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Balancing the innovative potential of AI with the preservation of human creativity and ethical standards is not just a matter of industry policy but a reflection of societal values. If the AMPTP is sincere about making a deal with the writers, it must approach these negotiations with empathy, transparency, and a genuine willingness to find common ground. By adopting a collaborative and respectful approach, the AMPTP can contribute to a solution that honors both technological progress and human dignity.

The AMPTP must act promptly and responsibly. This is a call not just for negotiation but for respect, empathy, and visionary leadership. It is a call for fairness in an industry where creativity fuels our culture and society.

Now is the time to honor the artists who are the backbone of Hollywood. Now is the time to engage, negotiate, and build a future where creativity thrives alongside technology. Anything less is a disservice to the industry, its artists, and audiences worldwide.

Jackie Zabel and Bryce Zabel’s production company is Stellar Productions. During the strike, Jackie is building an ADU, and Bryce is the co-host of Need to Know, a podcast about the emerging UFO/UAP reality issue.