Hollywood Studios to Retain the Right to Train AI Models based off Writers' Works: WSJ

By: Asia Business Outlook Team | Wednesday, 27 September 2023

According to people familiar with the situation, Hollywood studios are expected to retain the right to train artificial-intelligence models based on writers' work under the terms of a tentative labour agreement between the two sides, the Wall Street Journal reported on September 26.

As per the report, the writers would also walk away with a significant win, a guarantee that they will receive credit and compensation for their work on scripts, even if studios rely partially on AI tools.

According to the WSJ, entertainment executives did not want to give up the right to train their own AI tools based on TV and movie scripts because they believe AI tech platforms are already training their own models on such materials.

On Sunday, the WGA, which represents approximately 11,500 film and television writers, reached a preliminary three-year agreement with major studios. The union's leadership and members must still approve the agreement.

The agreement is expected to put an end to one of two strikes that have shut down most film and television production and cost the California economy billions of dollars.

The union representing actors and performers is still on strike. Their demands are similar to those of writers, including higher wages and protection from the use of artificial intelligence.

Setting the stage for another possible work stoppage in Hollywood, video game voice actors and motion capture performers voted on Monday to authorise a strike if negotiations on a new labor contract fail.