SAG-AFTRA led strikes for actors rights, including A.I. protections. (Tim Wildsmith/Unsplash)
By Jade J. Grade 9
I’m positive everyone enjoys, or has in some point of their lives enjoyed kicking back and switching on Netflix. I know I have. Or, listening to favorite tunes. Then, doesn’t it just gut you to think about all this entertainment loosing its authenticity? Or does it possibly excite you to think all this entertainment being released efficently? Some of these thoughts might be your opinion on AI in the entertainment industry, it was for most students and teachers from MIS.
For those who don’t know, the SAG-AFTRA strikes, also known as the actors strikes, are concerning disagreements over artficial intelligence (AI) usage for work in entertainment. Also, they’re concerning the use of an artists likeness.
‘It’s a writers strike because they’re being treated unfairly by big corporations, what a surprise,’ Josie said.
Music and televison are a big part of Josie’s life, she even considers them hobbies of hers.
‘At some point, AI does not have human understanding, like it cannot think of the things that humans can,” Josie said. “It does not think the same way we do, no matter how much we program it, because this is like organic. AI doesn’t do that. I think AI, when creating art, doesn’t really create art, it just replicates it because it cannot have intent. Which is like, a huge part of creating art, it is what it is. AI can’t do that. Will it be impressive if AI is able to completely replicate a song and make it sound totally natural, that would be impressive and I think it would be cool, but it would be a step forward in science, it would not be a step forward in the arts.’
Josie made the point that, though we are progressing in science but we still have to be cautious with our use of these advancements. while experiencing this growth in technology with artificial intelligence is fascinating, it’s a step forward in science, not a step forward in the arts.
Music is also a big part of Thalia J.’s life. She listens to music about 1 and a half hours a day. TV is just as big in her life.
“I think it’s kind of a shame because there are some people who work so hard and they spend a lot of time, and then AI just like takes over peoples work,” Thalia J., Grade 9, said. ‘I would feel sad because it would feel fake. It would feel so controlled. I wouldn’t want to listen to a robot.’
Thalia raises the point that these changes with AI in entertainment removes the authenticity in such leisure.
Similar to Josie, music and TV fan, Charlotte H., Grade 9, agrees that AI has it’s place, but it isn’t with the arts.
‘I think it’s a good tool for other things, but I don’t think it’s good in the entertainment business because it takes away jobs, that’s the whole writers strike. ‘ Charlotte H. said. ‘I would feel different because it’s not an actual person, it’s just computers putting out lyrics.’
‘I love watching series and movies, so I’m really sad that production has stopped, and a lot of the series that I really love.’ Middle School EAL Teacher Ms. Tousignant, said. So, I just want the studios to like side with the actors and give them what they want, cause I want series to come back. But, also, I think the actors have like a lot of really good points and really strong points. TV has changed so much in the last few years and decades with streaming services, like actors use to get paid whenever their shows would rerun on different television channels, but that doesn’t happen with streaming, they don’t get any sort of monatary benefit from the number of times people stream their shows or whatever. So, I think with like the way TV has changed, the way that actors are paid, and given benefits needs to change. It’s taken such a revolution with television in the last 10 years, that it needs to evolve to not just benefit the studios, but also benefit the people who are literally creating these shows, but the actors also and the writers too, but thats a seperate strike.’
Ms. Tousignant, another who’s hobby is watching TV, sides with the actors. Ms. T also enjoys podcasts, which she notes, is surprisingly also affected by the writers strikes.
‘I think we just need a lot of regulations for AI when it comes to music and television.’ Ms. T said. ‘Because, that has the potential to really transform the way we consume content, and the creative content thats made in a way that I think is negative, like creative human content should never be replaced by something thats made in a computer. It wont be as good, and if we dont create regulations for it, it could end up taking over for everything. People could lose jobs, and we would lose high quality content, whether it’s movies, whether it’s television. The most interesting storylines, and lyrics are always gonna come from real people.’
In conclusion, most students and teachers at MIS, side with the actors, and agree that AI is fascinating and has it’s place, but it isn’t, and shouldn’t be with music and television.