The Threat AI Poses to Actors Began 25 Years Ago

With the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes ongoing, there's still no resolution in sight. Both unions want fairer, re-negotiated contracts regarding residual payments for streaming content provided by services like Netflix. The antiquated business model designed for residual payments, and used by linear broadcast networks, wasn't designed for the age of streaming, and they've had enough. A major concern for both parties is the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence and the threat it poses. Writers are concerned AI could replace the human element of storytelling, while working actors, particularly those employed as background performers, could simply be digitally replaced. Those concerns are certainly valid, but they aren't exactly new. In fact, the current conversation is one members of the press have been having with filmmakers for over 25 years!