Paul Farquhar
Legend
I do think it's a bit early for either side to dig in over AI stuff. Both sides should settle for "lets form a committee and observe developments as they arise".
Effects of writers strike on Sci Fi & Fantasy genre
Choosing to not take a position leaves the position to be chosen by whoever has the most money.
This seems to be a reaction to how streaming developed. Early on, when it was a tiny piece of the market they essentially ceded lower residuals to producers as a not particularly important issue, which contains the seeds of the current situation. I think the goal is primarily not to let new technologies pull ahead of them again.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
For the writers, it's an existential question, not academic.
Paul Farquhar
Legend
Like many existential questions, it one that cannot be answered at this time. Which makes it academic.
Ruin Explorer
Legend
I mean, it sounds like it was written by someone who fundamentally doesn't know what copyrights, trademarks, or patents are, and how they differ, so that's not a great start for a book that claims that as its entire premise.
It would be academic if the studios weren't run by divots who are keen to experiment to save on costs, even if it tanks quality.
But they are.
So again, it is existential. Studios were already proposing to have AI do scripts and so on, and then to just use humans to "polish" them and hopefully ensure they're copyrighted. Which would have been an absolute trashfire for everyone involved, and was entirely designed to push down writing costs (which aren't even that high unless it's auteurs, which, ironically, the AMPTP seem fine with). Not all of the WGA's demands are entirely reasonable because they represent negotiating positions, but their position on AI is entirely reasonable.
With respect, it can be answered. "We agree to not use AI writers for the period of this agreement," is an answer. Some folks just want to be allowed to do whatever the heck they feel like instead.
Paul Farquhar
Legend
It fails to address issues like:
Are AI scripts even legal? It needs to be tested in court and legislation needs to catch up.
What is the AI actually capable of doing? At this time, current AIs cannot create and consistently write dialogue for characters, for reasons outlined above. It might be able to come up with a generic plot and character ideas, but it would still take a human writer to turn it into a script. That situation may change, but not yet.
Until those questions are answered, it's not possible to create rules for fair use. Maybe some short term guidelines, but that is not what either side is demanding.
Ruin Explorer
Legend
LOL buddy you're revealing that you haven't read the position of either side here.
The WGA doesn't want "rules for fair use" of AI, nor should it. It wants rules for no use of AI. The AMPTP doesn't want rules at at all regarding AI and has refused to negotiate on this point, so also doesn't want "rules for fair use".
So... what are you even saying?
The WGA position is reasonable. "Just say no". The AMPTP should agree and renegotiate when AI technology is mature enough not to just be a way to make writers' lives harder and and excuse for them to be paid less.
Snarf Zagyg
Notorious Liquefactionist
Well, there's a reason that the house usually wins!
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