Artificial intelligence (AI) advancements pose a threat to jobs in various industries, and writers in particular are waging a battle against algorithmic screenwriters. This issue, known as the Nora Ephron problem, came to the forefront during a strike in the industry. The concern was that AI tools like ChatGPT could mimic the style of renowned screenwriters like Ephron, potentially replacing human involvement in scriptwriting for platforms like Netflix.
While it’s acknowledged that AI is not as skilled as Ephron, the fear remains that it can produce a close enough approximation of her work. The worry is that, for the sake of meeting the demand for more romantic comedies, Netflix might settle for a faux Ephron script or use it as a baseline and hire humans to refine it.
Last week, the Writers Guild of America reached a new agreement aimed at addressing these concerns. It stated that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated content cannot undermine a writer’s credit. Writers will have the choice to use AI tools for assistance, but studios must inform them when AI-generated materials are provided for inspiration. The guild can take legal action against anyone who trains AI bots on writers’ work, although the legal landscape in the United States surrounding this matter is uncertain.
However, while these protections exist for screenwriters, AI tools like ChatGPT continue to advance rapidly. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, recently announced a series of upgrades. Previously, the chatbot could only respond to text prompts, but it can now respond to speech, images, and has real-time access to information online. It won’t be long before it can analyze and modify entire movies, including visuals, score, lighting, and more.
Other AI tools owned by companies like Meta (Facebook) are also being developed, utilizing users’ posts on platforms like Facebook to train chatbots. This poses a threat to various professionals such as social media managers, copywriters, customer service representatives, low-level consultants and lawyers, journalists working with press releases, photographers, and illustrators. Unlike Hollywood screenwriters who have union membership and certain protections, most of these professionals lack similar support.
AI developers claim they only aim to automate the mundane aspects of jobs, but the reality is that many low-skilled white-collar roles are at risk of being automated. As AI tools become more advanced and integrated with popular software and platforms, roles across different industries become increasingly vulnerable.
While AI may not match the talent of established writers like Ephron, it could still be competent enough to pose a threat to human involvement in various creative fields. As the industry continues to evolve, it is vital for professionals to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape, finding ways to utilize AI tools without compromising their expertise or artistic contributions.
