In 2023, Hollywood experienced a major strike. Workers walked off the job over concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking. The debate over AI in the industry continued into 2024, particularly with the Academy Awards. Several of the Best Picture nominees used AI in their production processes. The Brutalist, for example, used AI to create architectural blueprints, while Emelia Peréz applied AI to alter an actor’s singing voice. The role of AI in filmmaking has sparked strong reactions. Some workers see AI as a threat, while others believe it can be a helpful tool.
Workers Voice Concerns During the Strikes
During the 2023 strikes, film workers expressed many worries about AI. They feared that AI would replace jobs and lower wages. Brett Halperin, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, interviewed many of these workers. His research, published in ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction in February 2024, sheds light on their concerns.
Many workers said AI could take over important tasks in filmmaking. They worried that their roles, from writing to acting, would be replaced by machines. There was also concern about AI being used to manipulate the public, from deepfake actors to overly polished digital images. While some were open to AI as a tool, they felt it shouldn’t replace real human work in the creative process.
Change in Filmmaking Technology
This fear of technology replacing human work is not new. In fact, it has happened before in cinema. For example, the introduction of synchronized sound in 1926 made silent films obsolete. This caused a huge disruption, but it also created new jobs, like sound engineers. Similarly, color films, digital media, and other innovations have changed the industry. Each time, there was concern that these changes would destroy cinema, but in the end, the industry adapted.
AI is the latest technology to cause anxiety in Hollywood. However, Halperin suggests that AI, like past innovations, will transform the industry rather than destroy it. He believes that, just as new professions arose after the introduction of sound and color, new creative opportunities will emerge with AI.
The Academy’s Response: Transparency and Regulation
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering a new rule. Starting with the 2026 Oscars, filmmakers may have to disclose the use of AI in their films. Halperin sees this as a step toward transparency, but he also warns that too many rules could be hard to enforce. AI is already deeply embedded in filmmaking, particularly in computer-generated imagery (CGI) and digital effects. Halperin asks, “At what point did CGI become AI?” He believes it’s important to clarify what AI is and how it’s used.
He suggests that regulation should focus on areas where AI could harm workers or manipulate audiences. AI-generated actors and digital de-aging techniques, for example, could intensify body image issues while replacing real actors. Halperin argues that disclosure of AI’s use in films could help both filmmakers and audiences better understand the ethical implications of AI in cinema.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
While many workers expressed concern about AI replacing them, they also recognized that AI could be a helpful tool. Some saw AI as a way to improve their work, but only if they had control over its use. For example, AI could assist in editing or sound design, but workers wanted to ensure that human creativity remained at the forefront.
However, many workers who experimented with AI found it lacking. One writer said that using AI to help with scripts resulted in “hacky” and “generic” output. Other workers echoed this sentiment, noting that AI couldn’t replicate the unique human connections that define great filmmaking. Filmmaking is about telling stories that resonate with people, and no machine can replace the emotional depth that human actors and filmmakers bring to the process.
The Future of AI in Cinema
Halperin believes the fear and anxiety surrounding AI in filmmaking will eventually lessen. AI is still new in cinema, and many are seeing it as a novelty. But as the technology becomes more integrated into the industry, the initial shock will wear off. Despite this, Halperin urges caution and calls for ongoing protections for workers. AI can cause harm today, and it’s important to have laws in place to protect those affected.
Hollywood unions have won some protections for workers, but Halperin says these need to be updated regularly as AI continues to evolve. He also hopes to see stronger policies that ensure artists whose work is used to train AI systems receive fair compensation.
What the Public Should Know About AI in Movies
For Halperin, the final decision about AI in movies is in the hands of the audience. “We vote with our wallets,” he says. “If we support films that value human creativity over AI spectacle, the industry will take notice.” Halperin encourages people to consider the ethical implications of AI in filmmaking and to choose films that align with their values.
AI might bring new opportunities for filmmaking, but Halperin reminds us that what makes a film truly valuable is the human creativity behind it. As AI becomes more common in Hollywood, viewers will have the power to shape its future. At the end of the day, it’s the heart and soul of filmmaking that makes it special.
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