The major Hollywood studios would consider using artificial intelligence to write scripts in the middle of a writers' strike. ChatGPT, an advanced AI, would be the miracle solution to overcome the lack of scripts and speed up production. But this idea is strongly opposed by the writers' union.
ChatGPT, the AI that could revolutionize cinema… or destroy it?
In the midst of a writers' strike, major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms are reportedly seriously considering the use of artificial intelligences such as ChatGPT to generate scripts based on public domain literary works. This integration of technology would aim to reduce the impact of the strike and speed up the production process. Screenwriters would then be responsible for reworking the AI-generated scripts.
However, this proposal is far from unanimous. The American Writers' Union (WGA) is strongly opposed to the idea of using artificial intelligence to write scripts for movies and TV series. John August, a member of the WGA's bargaining committee, said screenwriters have no intention of correcting a machine's work.
Screenwriters denounce strategy to pay them less
Warren Leight, screenwriter and executive producer, also shares this opinion. He believes that the use of AI to generate scripts is a “strategy of Hollywood to pay less to the writers”. According to him, writers would be hired to rework a second draft, which is less paid than a first draft.
Recently, the screenwriters' union endorsed the use of AI as a tool, while making it clear that it had no intention of banning it. The WGA proposes that work done on ChatGPT and other tools not be considered literary or source material. Thus, AI-generated scripts would not steal credit from writers or affect their pay.
Hollywood screenwriters see AI as a “plagiarism machine.”
Despite the vision of a future where AI would write interactive movies shared by some industry figures, screenwriters have a different opinion. Ellen Stutzman, a senior negotiator for the WGA, said that some members view artificial intelligence as “plagiarism machines.” This perception is similar to that of visual artists who have sued generative AI companies for using copyrighted works. The writers believe that replicating this formula and training an artificial intelligence model with existing material would involve intellectual property theft.
Screenwriters' union calls for regulation of AI use
As part of the negotiations, the screenwriters' union is calling for regulation of the use of AI in all projects. The WGA insists that “artificial intelligence cannot write or rewrite literary material, cannot be used as source material, and existing scripts cannot be used to train AI.” This measure was rejected by The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producerswhich proposes “annual meetings to discuss technological advances”.
The future of AI-generated scripts is not far off. Hollywood is aware that millions of dollars could be saved by hiring writers to rewrite content generated by ChatGPT. This strategy is already being applied in many media outlets, affecting the work of editors and reporters. So writers are more determined than ever to protect their craft and preserve the authenticity of film and television works.
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