“Justin Simien and Gareth Edwards Sound the Alarm on the Alarming Threat of AI in Art
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly emerging as an existential threat to the livelihood of artists and writers worldwide. Day by day, programs like Midjourney and ChatGPT are becoming increasingly sophisticated, tempting many companies to replace human creators in a bid to cut costs. Hollywood is at the forefront of this crisis, with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes bringing the issue to the forefront. Both writers and actors are demanding better pay and contractual protections against job loss to AI, advocating for art to remain firmly in the hands and minds of human beings. In a thought-provoking Directors on Directing panel, hosted by FilmSweep Editor-in-Chief Steve Weintraub, directors Justin Simien and Gareth Edwards highlighted the significance of the battle against AI usage for the future of the industry and the essence of art itself.
For Edwards, the topic of AI holds particular relevance, as his upcoming film “The Creator” delves into the war between humanity and AI, following one man’s quest to thwart the architect of advanced technology that threatens to destroy humanity. Playfully acknowledging the subject’s connection to Simien’s Disney film “The Haunted Mansion,” Edwards light-heartedly remarked, “I was gonna say, Justin, this is very appropriate for your film, the Haunted Mansion. Yes, because AI, as we all know, was invented in the 1800s. Which is where the ghosts are from,” prompting a witty response from Simien.
However, beyond the humor, Simien stresses the dual nature of AI, acknowledging its usefulness as a tool while also recognizing its potential to disrupt the creative process for artists. He emphasizes the importance of establishing ground rules that safeguard individual workers, praising the Director’s Guild for successfully incorporating AI-related language into their recent deal. Still, Simien believes that more extensive measures are required to protect art and prevent its misuse by AI.
Simien’s concern about the harmful mindset of studios towards AI in art is palpable. He worries about their readiness to embrace AI and their determination to fight for its integration. During the WGA strike, studios refused to rule out the use of generative AI in the future. Similarly, actors fear technology generating performances using their likenesses, potentially jeopardizing their livelihoods. The presence of AI is already seeping into the industry, as seen in Marvel’s “Secret Invasion” opening credits, generated by AI, which many find disconcerting and uncanny.
The prevailing unease in the industry stems from the belief that top executives would willingly replace human artists if given the opportunity, threatening the very essence of art, so intrinsically tied to human ideas and identity. Simien underlines the importance of safeguarding artists whose work is utilized in AI models and the need to preserve the joy and interest of letting humans tell stories to each other.
While the DGA has secured their deal, Edwards, Simien, and Louis Leterrier express their unwavering support for their picketing colleagues in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. They all agree that standing with writers and actors in their pursuit of a fair deal is essential. Edwards adds, “We’re all directors up here, I think we all agree with this that the first thing we do want to make clear is that we all stand with the writers and actors in getting a fair deal. We’re contractually obliged to promote our movies!”
Stay tuned to FilmSweep for more insights from the Directors on Directing panel featuring Edwards, Simien, and Leterrier.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AI Art Threat
What is the main concern discussed in the text?
The main concern discussed in the text is the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a threat to the livelihood of artists and writers in the entertainment industry.
What are some examples of AI programs mentioned in the text?
The text mentions two examples of AI programs, namely Midjourney and ChatGPT. These programs are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are seen as potential replacements for human creators.
How are the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes related to the AI threat?
The ongoing strikes by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are directly related to the AI threat. Writers and actors are demanding better pay and contractual protections against job loss to AI in an effort to preserve the role of human creativity in the entertainment industry.
What is the viewpoint of directors Justin Simien and Gareth Edwards on AI in art?
Directors Justin Simien and Gareth Edwards both emphasize the importance of fighting against the use of AI in art. While they acknowledge that AI can be a useful tool, they also view it as an extremely scary threat that has the potential to upend the way artists create. They advocate for setting ground rules to protect individual workers and preserve the essence of human-driven storytelling.
How do studios approach the integration of AI in art, as mentioned in the text?
Studios are seen as willing to embrace AI in art and are reluctant to swear off using generative AI in the future, even amidst the ongoing strikes. This eagerness to adopt AI raises concerns among artists and creatives, who fear that studios might replace human artists altogether if given the opportunity.
What is the connection between AI and Edwards’ upcoming film “The Creator”?
“The Creator,” an upcoming film by Gareth Edwards, explores the theme of a war between humanity and AI, centered around one man’s mission to confront the architect of advanced technology that could endanger humanity. The film’s narrative aligns with the broader discussion on the potential dangers of AI in the entertainment industry.
How has AI already affected the industry, as mentioned in the text?
The text cites an example from Marvel’s “Secret Invasion,” where AI-generated content, specifically an opening credits sequence, has been introduced. This demonstrates that AI is already influencing the industry, raising concerns about its potential impact on human-driven creative content.
What is the Directors on Directing panel mentioned in the text?
The Directors on Directing panel is an event hosted by FilmSweep Editor-in-Chief Steve Weintraub. During this panel, directors Justin Simien and Gareth Edwards discussed the implications of AI in art and its significance for the future of the entertainment industry.
What do Simien and Edwards suggest to protect art from AI misuse?
Both Simien and Edwards advocate for establishing ground rules and contractual protections to safeguard artists and prevent their work from being misused by AI. They highlight the need to prioritize human creativity and storytelling over the potential efficiency of AI-generated content.
What is the directors’ stance on supporting their colleagues in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes?
Directors Gareth Edwards, Justin Simien, and Louis Leterrier express their support for their fellow colleagues who are participating in the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. They stand with the writers and actors in their pursuit of a fair deal and acknowledge their contractual obligations to promote their movies despite the ongoing strikes.
More about AI Art Threat
- Midjourney (example AI program) – Link
- ChatGPT (example AI program) – Link
- SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) – Link
- WGA (Writers Guild of America) – Link
- The Creator (upcoming film by Gareth Edwards) – Link
- Marvel’s Secret Invasion – Link
- Directors on Directing panel – Link
- FilmSweep – Link
