The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end the 148-day-long writers’ strike in the film industry. As part of the agreement, the writers have secured “strong limitations on A.I.” in their contracts. The new provisions state that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material, and any AI-generated material will not be considered source material that can undermine a writer’s credit or rights. Writers may choose to use AI with the company’s consent, but they cannot be required to do so. The WGA also reserves the right to prohibit the exploitation of writers’ materials to train AI.
The concessions won by the Writers Guild of America in the agreement include significant limitations on the use of artificial intelligence in the creative process. AI-generated material will not hold the same weight as human-written material, and writers will have control over whether or not to use AI in their work. Companies must disclose any AI-generated materials given to writers, and the WGA can assert that the exploitation of writers’ material for AI training is prohibited by the contract. These provisions aim to ensure that AI is used under the volition and control of human writers.
However, it remains unclear how studios will approach the use of AI in practice and if they will favor writers who are more receptive to incorporating AI in their work. The settlement of the writers’ strike now shifts the focus to the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and their negotiations with the studios. It is yet to be determined how SAG-AFTRA will establish its own principles regarding AI and 3D scanning in the industry. VentureBeat has published a comprehensive report on the history, present, and future of AI in Hollywood, providing insights into the ongoing battle over the use of this technology.
In conclusion, the agreement reached between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has ended the writers’ strike in the film industry. The new provisions establish limitations on the use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that writers retain control over their creative work. While AI can be used with the consent of the company and under the writer’s choice, it cannot replace or undermine human-written material. The settlement raises questions about how studios will implement AI in the future and the impact it may have on hiring practices. Attention now turns to the negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and the studios for their own principles on AI and 3D scanning in the industry.
