Could AI pen 'Casablanca'? Screenwriters take aim at ChatGPT ...
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is prompting concerns throughout Hollywood over concerns that chatbots could soon be writing or re-writing scripts. The Writers Guild of America has expressed its concerns over the use of AI in scriptwriting and its potential ability to produce mediocre screenplays while violating copyright rules.
The AI technology in question, ChatGPT, could be used to generate rough first drafts by utilizing a series of prompts. Screenwriters would then be hired to edit these drafts, typically at a lower pay rate. Additionally, screenplays could be created in the style of recognizable writers.
The Guild's Countermeasures
The Writers Guild of America is calling for more safeguards when it comes to the use of AI in screenwriting. It is also demanding that more regulation is put in place to protect the work of human writers and to prevent them from being "replaced" by AI technology. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has agreed to meet with the Guild to address these issues.
AI and Hollywood – A Bright Future?
The growing anxiety and antagonism towards AI in Hollywood is not surprising. However, AI is already playing a significant role in moviemaking: it's being used to remove swear words and to de-age actors, among other applications. The Screen Actors Guild is also following the development of legal issues surrounding AI closely.
Despite concerns, some people in Hollywood view the introduction of AI in the industry as an opportunity for growth. AI could be used to create content that humans cannot and in a much shorter amount of time. It is believed that AI-generated content could produce new genres and screenwriting styles that viewers have not yet seen.
The Writers' Response to AI: Man vs. Machine
Screenwriters are currently being treated as "gig workers," being hired to revise AI-generated scripts. The writers are advocating for human writers to be in charge of the creative process. They fear that if the use of AI to generate content becomes normalized, the "train" will become impossible to stop.
The Writers Guild of America is currently negotiating a newborn technology with the potential for radical change. The strike may last three months or longer, enough time to analyze how AI might reshape screenwriting.
Nonetheless, AI continues to be a significant concern for writers in Hollywood and will require continued conversation and regulation to maintain balance between man and machine.
