Hollywood Strike Negotiations Stalled Over Ai Concerns

Hollywood's prolonged strike involving actors and major studios has reached a standstill due to unresolved concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and other issues, according to the SAG-AFTRA union's announcement on Wednesday. In an effort to end the 111-day strike, the union presented a revised proposal concerning the use of artificial intelligence to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents media giants such as Netflix and Walt Disney. SAG-AFTRA has been advocating for limitations on the use of generative AI technology by studios in movie and TV show production. Actors are concerned about the potential replacement of human performers by digital counterparts and the unauthorized use of their likenesses. The union's statement revealed that while they had engaged in more than three hours of discussions with AMPTP, other issues remain unresolved. SAG-AFTRA emphasized that they are awaiting AMPTP's response to their comprehensive counterproposal package, which was submitted on Saturday and addresses outstanding issues. As of now, there has been no immediate response from the AMPTP representatives regarding the union's statement. The strike began in mid-July with SAG-AFTRA members demanding higher minimum salaries and additional benefits. Picketing outside studio offices in New York and Los Angeles has been a common sight during the strike. The strike has had a significant impact on the industry, causing disruptions and costing the California economy at least $6 billion, according to the Milken Institute. It has put thousands of crew members out of work and halted most scripted production in the United States. This strike mirrors a similar situation earlier this year when film and television writers walked off the job, seeking AI protections and increased compensation in the streaming TV era. They eventually reached a deal with the AMPTP in late September.