Following the resolution of the landmark WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, the entertainment industry is gradually regaining stability with new contractual safeguards against artificial intelligence. OpenAI, known for its generative services like ChatGPT, is now eyeing a move into Hollywood, sparking concerns among writers.
Official discussions between OpenAI and Hollywood executives are set to commence in Los Angeles this week. The aim is to explore how artificial intelligence tools can enhance effects and video creation in film production.
These upcoming meetings mark the initial phase of OpenAI’s ambition to integrate its technologies into the film and television sectors. Talks with Hollywood stakeholders have been ongoing since February, as reported by Bloomberg.
CEO Sam Altman has unveiled plans for a new OpenAI service named Sora, designed to generate lifelike videos based on simple text inputs. Altman’s recent networking efforts during the Academy Awards week suggest a potential soft launch of Sora within Hollywood circles.
While OpenAI’s advancements are captivating, there’s uncertainty about public reception outside Hollywood. Audiences often express apprehension that AI integration may displace traditional roles like actors, writers, and visual effects artists.
Instances like Marvel’s use of AI-generated imagery in Secret Invasion and AI art in Late Night with the Devil have triggered backlash from viewers, who perceive it as undermining human creativity and originality. Critics label AI art as derivative, lacking proper attribution to its source material.
In response to these concerns, an OpenAI spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to engaging with the artistic community. They pledged ongoing dialogue and collaboration with artists and creatives to ensure responsible AI integration in filmmaking.
OpenAI joins a competitive landscape where other tech giants like Alphabet Inc. and Meta Platforms are also pursuing opportunities in generative text-to-video technologies.
Despite past controversies surrounding AI’s role in entertainment, including its impact on industry labor disputes, companies like OpenAI remain steadfast in their Hollywood aspirations. The evolving landscape suggests a future where AI plays a significant role in film production, raising questions about the industry’s evolving dynamics and the continued protection of actors and writers under new contracts.
