The WGA is closing out its second week on strike with no current end in sight. As shows and films continue to be affected, studios may turn to AI to pen scripts in the absence of Hollywood’s writers. According to AboveTheLine, AI generated material may be utilized until the strike ends, and may even possibly extend negotiations. Thankfully, according to insiders, only public domain works will be utilized to avoid copyright infringements.
Creatives are divided with the possibility of using AI in any medium. Some, such as Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo, look to embrace the technology as an inevitability. Speaking to Collider, Russo describes AI as the next step in engineering and changing storytelling, as well as curating the entertainment experience to each viewer.
On the other end of the fence, prolific writer Neil Gaiman sides firmly with the WGA’s stance that big studios should “not write or rewrite literary material” and “not use” AI “as a source material,” as the technology is inherently plagiarism. So far, neither side is budging.
In addition to projects already affected by the strike, Variety now reports that going forward, all late-night shows will go dark, and only repeats will be shown. Big Mouth Season 8 and Yellowjackets Season 3 will be delayed, as writing has halted. Additionally, the live airing of the MTV Movie Awards was cancelled after host Drew Barrymore dropped out in solidarity with the strikers.
Looking back to the last strike in 2007, negotiations lasted for 100 days. How much longer will the strike last now that a potential striking-writer “workaround” has presented itself? Will Hollywood succumb to the controversial allure of AI?
Cybersecurity specialist by day, investigative journalist by night.
