Hollywood goes on strike, with AI a central concern
Writers and actors mounted historic strikes, raising issues from streaming economics to artificial intelligence.
Hollywood was brought to a standstill this year as writers and then actors mounted historic strikes, in a major labour confrontation that raised issues ranging from the economics of streaming to the emerging threat of artificial intelligence, and that reshaped the conversation about the future of the entertainment industry.
The strikes, which saw writers and actors withhold their labour and halt much of film and television production, centred on a range of grievances, including compensation in the streaming era, working conditions, and concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
The economics of streaming were a central issue, as writers and actors argued that the shift to streaming had eroded their compensation, particularly the residual payments that had traditionally provided income from the reuse of their work, and sought a greater share of the rewards.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a prominent and novel concern, as creative workers worried about the potential for AI to be used to write scripts, to replicate performers' likenesses and voices, and to displace or undermine human creative labour, seeking protections against such uses.
The strikes, lasting an extended period and causing significant disruption and economic impact, reflected the broader tensions and transformations in the entertainment industry wrought by streaming and technology, and the determination of creative workers to protect their livelihoods and interests.
The historic strikes and their eventual resolution marked a significant moment in the entertainment industry, addressing the economics of the streaming era and establishing some of the first protections against the use of artificial intelligence in creative work. The confrontation highlighted the profound changes reshaping the industry and the challenges facing creative workers, and it placed the implications of AI for creative labour squarely at the centre of the conversation about the future of entertainment and media.