AMPTP Proposes Ban on A.I. Writing in Writers Guild Contract
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has put forward a proposal to ban generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) work from being considered literary material in the contract with the Writers Guild of America (WGA). They have also suggested providing quarterly reports on streaming project view hours. AMPTP President Carol Lombardini expressed that ending the strike and addressing the concerns of the writers are their top priorities. The WGA has yet to respond to the proposal. Additionally, the AMPTP has proposed certain guardrails for A.I.-produced writing, such as excluding it from payment and credit discussions. On the other hand, the WGA initially aimed to prohibit A.I.-produced work from being classified as assigned or literary material. As part of their proposal, the AMPTP is offering wage rate increases of 5% in the first year, 4% in the second year, and 3.5% in the third year.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the AMPTP has presented its latest proposal to the WGA regarding the use of generative A.I. and data transparency. This proposal follows a meeting between guild leadership and Hollywood CEOs.
The AMPTP’s proposal entails a ban on considering writing produced by generative A.I. as literary material in the contract. In addition, they suggest providing quarterly reports to the union, disclosing the streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) view hours per streaming project. These proposals were unveiled after a meeting between top CEOs and guild leadership.
AMPTP President Carol Lombardini stressed the importance of ending the strike and emphasized the studios’ commitment to addressing the writers’ concerns. Lombardini stated that Our priority is to end the strike so that valued members of the creative community can return to what they do best and to end the hardships that so many people and businesses that service the industry are experiencing. The AMPTP hopes that the WGA will work collaboratively to achieve a resolution.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the WGA for comment on the proposal, but their response is currently unknown.
Alongside the ban on considering AI-generated work as literary material, the companies propose specific guardrails when presenting AI-produced writing to writers. If the AI-produced content has not been previously published or exploited, it will not be factored into payment or credit discussions as assigned material. The disclosure that the material was written by AI is necessary, and it will not disqualify the writer from eligibility for separated rights. Initially, the WGA sought to prohibit AI-produced work from being classified as assigned or literary material and to prevent any writing covered under its contract from being used to train AI.
The AMPTP’s proposal also includes a wage rate increase for WGA members. They are suggesting a 5% increase in wage rates for the first year of the contract, 4% in the second year, and 3.5% in the third year. This aligns with the wage rate increases achieved by the Directors Guild of America in their contract negotiations.
Negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA are ongoing, with both parties working towards a resolution to end the strike and address the writers’ concerns.
