Key Takeaways:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in the entertainment industry, raising concerns about innovation and exploitation.
- Celebrities such as Willow Smith, Jenna Ortega, and Scarlett Johansson are speaking out about the potential risks and benefits of AI.
- Some celebrities are embracing AI experimentation, while others are drawing firm boundaries due to the lack of clear laws governing AI use.
- The entertainment industry is grappling with issues of consent, fair compensation, and transparency in the use of AI-generated content.
- Efforts are being made to advocate for artists’ rights and protect them from having their work absorbed into AI systems without pay.
Introduction to AI in the Entertainment Industry
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, but a reality that is already impacting the entertainment industry. According to some of the most influential voices in entertainment, AI is unsettling in ways that are only beginning to be understood. Willow Smith, for instance, has shared a philosophical meditation on AI, imagining a future where humans have used Chat GPT to create a digital fossil-map of their minds, showing the landscape of their thoughts, preferences, and ideas. This vision of AI as a living archive, a permanent map of the human psyche, is both poetic and thought-provoking.
The Mood in Hollywood
However, the mood around AI in Hollywood is far less dreamy. As AI tools like ChatGPT and deepfake technology surge forward, the entertainment industry is grappling with a fundamental question about the line between innovation and exploitation. Some celebrities have embraced experimentation, such as music producer Timbaland, who launched an AI-generated music project, and Ryan Reynolds, who read a ChatGPT-written script in a 2023 Mint Mobile ad. Nevertheless, many others are drawing firm boundaries, especially in the absence of clear laws governing how AI can use a person’s voice, face, likeness, or past work.
Celebrity Perspectives on AI
Celebrities such as Jenna Ortega, Scarlett Johansson, and Taylor Swift have spoken out about the potential risks and benefits of AI. Ortega revealed that she received explicit AI-generated images of herself as a teenager, a deeply distressing experience that shaped her outspoken dislike of the technology. Johansson was targeted by a deepfake video falsely depicting her and other Jewish celebrities, and she responded publicly, stating that she has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. Swift addressed the dangers of AI head-on after fake "Swifties for Trump" images circulated online, expressing her fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation.
The Importance of Consent and Fair Compensation
The entertainment industry is grappling with issues of consent, fair compensation, and transparency in the use of AI-generated content. Actors such as Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Aubrey Plaza, and Kate McKinnon have signed open letters warning against the use of copyrighted works to train generative AI without consent. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, alongside Daniel Kwan and Natasha Lyonne, launched the Creators Coalition on AI, advocating for transparency, consent, and fair compensation. Gordon-Levitt has also penned essays in The Washington Post and The Hollywood Reporter, urging lawmakers to protect artists from having their work absorbed into AI systems without pay.
The Future of AI in Entertainment
As AI continues to evolve and become more prevalent in the entertainment industry, it is essential to consider the potential risks and benefits. While some celebrities are embracing AI experimentation, others are drawing firm boundaries due to the lack of clear laws governing AI use. Efforts are being made to advocate for artists’ rights and protect them from having their work absorbed into AI systems without pay. Ultimately, the future of AI in entertainment will depend on finding a balance between innovation and exploitation, and ensuring that the use of AI is transparent, consensual, and fair. As Nicolas Cage said in his speech, "I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us." This sentiment resonates with many in the entertainment industry, who are working to ensure that AI is used in a way that respects the integrity and creativity of human artists.
