Film and animation industries would lose more jobs as a result of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) than other industries, predicts consulting firm CVL Economics.
According to a January 2024 report by the firm, 75% of survey respondents indicated that Gen AI tools, software, and models had supported the elimination, reduction, or consolidation of jobs in their business division. The survey was conducted between November 17 and December 22, 2023, and included mid-level managers, senior executives, and c-suite executives from six entertainment industries. Without explicit programming, Gen AI generates a variety of content, including text, music, and graphics. It makes use of machine learning to recognize and duplicate patterns seen in current data.
The survey states that in the next three years, sound designers could anticipate to be the most affected, according to 55% of leaders. More than forty percent perceive sound engineers, audio technicians, and music editors as weak points, and over thirty-three percent predict effects on studio engineers, songwriters, and composers.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced a strike in July 2023, not long after ChatGPT launched, citing AI breakthroughs that could impact employment positions and security.
Before the strike, a lot of businesses trained Gen AI programs with written content to make digital characters and replicas that resembled actors. The striking workers were afraid that Gen AI technology might take their jobs if there were no strong safeguards in place.
WGA and SAG-AFTRA members continue to be concerned about the unpredictability of Gen AI’s effects on the film and television industries as well as other entertainment sectors, even in light of the recent positive contract discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
According to the report, during the next three years, 47% of business leaders believed that Gen AI would produce realistic sound design and 3D materials for movies, TV shows, and video games.The report also showed that 39% of respondents thought that by 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) would be producing music mixes and masters, and 44% said that AI could provide convincing and accurate foreign language dubbing for movies or television shows.
However, according to CVL Economics, more job cuts are anticipated in the months to come given that businesses like Riot Games, Unity Software, Amazon MGM Studios, Pixar, and Universal Music Group have already announced layoffs within the first few weeks of 2024.