Artificial Intelligence Enters Hollywood Industry, Actor Strikes Due To AI Scan Proposal

Film workers in Hollywood broke down due to AI. (photo: twitter @sagaftra)

JAKARTA - Artificial Intelligence (AI) has penetrated another part of Hollywood, causing the industry to engage in ongoing debate about its use. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, major negotiator of Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), revealed proposals from Hollywood studios.

At a press conference July 13, where Hollywood actors confirmed it would strike, the Crabtree-Ireland revealed proposals from Hollywood studios that included AI proposals previously disclosed in a statement made by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) after a futile negotiation attempt.

We know #sagaftramembers looove direction, so here's some:What you CAN WORK on during the #SAGAFTRAstrike. 👇👇👇 #SAGAFTRAstrong pic.twitter.com/Qp9RH33Cyu

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) July 15, 2023

We know #sagaftrembers loose direction, so here's some: What you CAN WORK on during the #SAGAFTRAstrike. #SAGAFTRAstrong pic.twitter.com/Qp9RH33Cyu

AMPTP said in its statement that it had delivered a "registered AI proposal" aimed at protecting the digital similarities of SAG-AFTRA members.

When asked about the proposal in a press conference, the Crabtree-Ireland replied that the newly presented AI proposal suggested that background players should undergo scanning, receive payments for just one day, and grant companies full ownership of those scans, images, and similarities.

The companies will have unlimited rights to use them indefinitely for any project without having to seek approval or provide compensation. Crabtree-Ireland expressed skepticism about calling the proposal a revolutionary and suggested reconsidering such views.

The strike by SAG-AFTRA, which is a follow-up to the existing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, was officially ordered on July 14, at 12:01 a.m., until a fair deal was reached with AMPTP. This strike marks the first time in 63 years that actors and screenwriters strike simultaneously.

Previously, WGA had submitted a number of requests to Hollywood studios, which included regulations on the use of AI in projects covered by the minimum basic agreement. The request expressly states that AI should not be used to write or revise literary content, nor should it function as a source material.