Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought another industry into the frenzy over its use, as Hollywood and the larger media industry face a petition from the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The WGA recently issued a list of requirements that include regulation of the use of AI in programs covered by the Minimum Base Agreement (MBA). It states that AI should not be used to write or rewrite literary material, nor should it be used as original material.
Furthermore, it requires that the material covered by the MBA cannot be used to train AI. In its initial statement in March, the association wrote: "The WGA's proposal to regulate material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies ensures that companies cannot use artificial intelligence to understand writers' standards of work, including compensation, residual, segregated rights and credit."
However, the Hollywood studios formally rejected the requests, with an offer to "hold an annual meeting to discuss technological advancements." The issue related to the use of AI is one of many issues, including pay and working conditions, that prompted the WGA's first authorized strike in 15 years in Los Angeles on May 2. Ellen Stutzman, the WGA's lead negotiator, called the proposal "reasonable" and said AI should be "away from the business of writing television and film." She also commented that some members of The guild wrote the name "copy machine" for the AI. AI tools are already being implemented in Hollywood, for things like retouching visual effects and de-aging the appearance of actors.
The openness of Hollywood production studios to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence differs from that of big companies in other creative industries, such as the music industry.
After the AI-generated music started appearing on the streaming service, Universal Music Group's initial response was a manhunt to remove it and a lawsuit. Although some well-known artists in the industry are themselves encouraging the use of the technology.
