In what will go down in Hollywood history as a movement that shook and shocked the globe, the writers went on strike that lasted longer than anyone expected. They raised issues about threat from artificial intelligence, lack of compensation and equal pay. Few months later, some prominent actors joined the bandwagon too in their support and solidarity. With negotiations done, it’s time to see what awaits the Hollywood industry. What exactly happened? During the nearly five-month walkout, no issue resonated more than the use of AI in script writing. What was once a seemingly lesser demand of the Writers Guild of America became an existential rallying cry. The strike was also about streaming-era economics, writers room minimums and residuals — not exactly compelling picket-sign fodder. But the threat of AI vividly cast the writers’ plight as a human-versus-machine clash, with widespread implications for other industries facing a radically new kind of automation. Tentative move of the Writers Guild of America In the coming weeks, WGA members will vote on whether to ratify a tentative agreement, which requires studios and production companies to disclose to writers if any material given to them has been generated by AI partially or in full. AI cannot be a credited writer. AI cannot write or rewrite “literary material.” AI-generated writing cannot be source material. The tentative agreement between the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers The tentative agreement between the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers , which negotiates on behalf of the studios, doesn’t prohibit all uses of artificial intelligence. Both sides have acknowledged it can be a worthwhile tool in many aspects of filmmaking, including script writing. The deal states that writers can use AI if the company consents. But a company cannot require a writer to use AI software. Actors’ demands Actors, on strike since July 14, are likewise seeking better compensation from streaming. But they are also demanding safeguards against AI, which can potentially use a star’s likeness without his or her permission or replace background actors entirely. Future of stalled films One of the films that got impacted by the strike was the John Cena-Priyanka Chopra starrer Heads of State. The production was in full swing until it was halted. Also, in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Ali Fazal revealed how work in Hollywood was at a halt due to the strike. With things looking to perk up, let’s see if films come back on track or not. With added inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Working as an Entertainment journalist for over five years, covering stories, reporting, and interviewing various film personalities of the film industry