Overview
An estimated 62,000 entertainment jobs in California will be disrupted by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) within the next three years, according to a new study. The report, published on Monday, also estimates that 204,000 entertainment jobs across the United States will be affected by AI during the same time frame. The study defines a disrupted job as one where a significant amount of tasks within that role are consolidated, replaced, or eliminated as a result of AI.
Study Details
The study was conducted by consulting firm CVL Economics, which surveyed 300 entertainment-industry leaders including C-Suite executives, senior executives, and mid-level managers and producers. The report was commissioned by the Animation Guild, the Concept Art Assn., the Human Artistry Campaign, and the National Cartoonist Society Foundation.
Impact on Entertainment Workers
The Animation Guild plans to use the study’s results to inform its bargaining strategy and goals in response to concerns expressed by its members. Brandon Jarratt, a member of the Animation Guild’s executive board and AI task force, emphasized that the fear among entertainment workers comes from the potential for studios to exploit AI in order to cut budgets and meet shareholder projections.
Tension in Hollywood
The growing prevalence of AI has become a source of tension in Hollywood, as seen during last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA secured limitations and protections surrounding the use of AI in their contracts with the studios. However, the study found that survey participants expressed less concern about the potential fallout for writers and actors compared to other crafts.
Jobs Most Affected by AI
According to the study, the job tasks most likely to be impacted by AI in the film and TV industry include 3-D modeling, character and environment design, voice generation and cloning, and compositing. In the music and sound-recording industry, the tasks most likely to be affected are voice generation and cloning, music generation and recording, and lyrics composition. In the gaming industry, 3-D modeling and concept art/visual development are the tasks most vulnerable to AI.
Disproportionate Impact on Entry-Level Positions
The study highlights that entry-level positions in the entertainment industry will be disproportionately impacted by the rise of AI. This raises concerns about the accessibility of new job opportunities for workers displaced by the technology.
Industry Perspective
While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, industry professionals are seeking ways to ensure that the technology is used to improve working conditions and enhance artistic aspects of the job. The Animation Guild hopes to establish industry standards for appropriate AI tools that support artists and their livelihoods.