Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a popular topic of discourse in 2023, with the rise of new and accessible AI-generating platforms. It has brought numerous advancements to various fields, including writing and the performing arts. However, concerns about coexisting with this ever-evolving technology have arisen.

There is an unfortunate trend of writers being undervalued and underpaid, despite their enormous contributions to the entertainment industry. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in May 2023 due to an ongoing labor dispute between the WGA, representing 11,500 screenwriters, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

One of the main points in the labor dispute is the residuals from streaming media. The WGA claims that the AMPTP's share of such residuals has significantly reduced the average income of writers. When a project is bought or rerun, writers often receive residual checks from prior projects. However, with the launch and rapid expansion of streaming services, large production corporations rely on selling past projects on these platforms and continue to make enormous profits, while writers receive little compensation.

Writers are also demanding that AI tools, such as ChatGPT, be used only as a tool to help with research or facilitate script ideas, and not as a tool to replace them. After more than 50 days, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), a labor union representing approximately 160,000 media professionals and entertainers, went on their own strike against the AMPTP.

SAG-AFTRA cited several issues in negotiations, including "economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence, and alleviating the burdens of the industry-wide shift to self-taping." During the announcement, a claim was made that the AMPTP attempted to include a proposal that allowed studios, for one day's pay, to have exclusive and indefinite rights to actors' likenesses, including the use of generative AI to replicate them on-screen. This raises several ethical concerns and potentially infringes upon creative autonomy, artistic expression, and labor rights. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which heads the VFX Union, has expressed similar worries about AI.

Due to the latest breakthroughs in AI, which many artists believe will undermine their jobs, intellectual property rights, and artistic integrity, as well as the lack of residuals from streaming, friction between studios and artists in both unions is increasing. AI technology presents both opportunities and challenges in creative industries. While it can provide inspiration and assistance, there are concerns that overreliance on AI-generated content can stifle human creativity and originality.

AI has been used in various ways within the entertainment industry, such as generating visual effects, enhancing post-production processes, or creating computer-generated images (CGI), but it has always been seen as a tool. The advancement of AI brings the possibility of job displacement for human artists and performers, as AI-generated content may replace their work. Production companies seem to already be tempted by these new possibilities.

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan stated, "But we have to view it as a tool. The person who wields it still has to maintain responsibility for wielding that tool. If we accord AI the status of a human being, the way we did at some point legally with corporations, then yes, we're going to have huge problems."

There are other issues that arise with AI technology in creative industries. AI algorithms learn from existing data, which can perpetuate biases and reinforce stereotypes, potentially leading to a lack of diversity and innovation. Ethical concerns arise with the creation of deepfake technologies, raising issues of misrepresentation and the spread of misinformation. Additionally, determining intellectual property rights for AI-generated content trained on copyrighted material can be complex and may lead to legal disputes.

The creative process involves complex emotions, intentions, and interpretations that are deeply connected to the human experience. Striking a balance between human creativity and AI assistance is crucial to ensure that these art forms continue to thrive while addressing the potential dangers and ethical considerations that arise. It is crucial to navigate these issues with careful consideration, balancing the potential benefits and ethical considerations of AI in the creative realm.