AI-authored content has become a major concern in the creative industries. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike, fighting for a contract that prevents AI from receiving writing credits for screenplays. The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have also joined the strike, as some studios are replacing actors with digital replicas. The threat of AI-authored content is not just limited to movies; AI apps like ChatGPT and Midjourney have raised concerns in various industries.
Eric Heisserer, a member of the WGA contract negotiation team, explains that AI was initially not a major concern during contract negotiations. However, as AI applications like ChatGPT and Midjourney gained popularity, industry members started reporting their experiences. One actor shared audition sides that were entirely written by ChatGPT, making the dialogue hard to read. Another union member was approached to “fix” the dialogue of an AI-generated feature screenplay in just 48 hours, a task that would typically take months. These instances not only highlight the questionable quality of AI-authored content but also raise issues concerning writer credits and payment.
Heisserer also points out the potential copyright issues that may arise with AI-generated content. Generative AI models consume and regurgitate text written by humans, which could lead to legal battles over ownership. Despite the concerns, AI adoption is increasing. OpenAI and Google have been meeting with newspapers to offer AI-based news coverage, while companies and publications like io9 and CNET have been experimenting with AI.
Heisserer believes that the strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA are just the beginning, and that journalists and novelists may need to push back against automation in their workplaces. Although the future of AI in creative industries remains uncertain, Heisserer jokes that AIs joining unions is a far-off possibility, as they have yet to become CEOs and executives who make decisions and carry out market analysis.
Insights:
- The threat of AI-authored content is currently a major concern in the creative industries, with unions like WGA and SAG-AFTRA taking action to protect the rights of writers and actors.
- AI-generated content raises questions about quality, payment, writer credits, and copyright.
- AI adoption is on the rise, with companies and publications testing AI for news coverage and other applications.
- Concerns regarding automation in creative industries extend beyond movies, with journalists and novelists potentially needing to address this issue too.
