The Rise of Resistance: How Humans Prevailed Against AI
In the midst of the AI revolution, a powerful resistance unfolded within the heart of Hollywood. At Swingers and Bob’s Big Boy, where Drew Carey generously picked up the tab, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) gathered frequently during their 148-day strike. This historic movement aimed to safeguard the talented wordsmiths of Hollywood from being overshadowed by artificial intelligence.
The WGA strike garnered immense support, with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joining their fellow creatives on the picket lines. Together, they formed an indomitable force against the perceived encroachment of AI. However, their distinct objectives highlighted the diverse concerns surrounding automated technology.
Writers, fearing the manipulation and unauthorized usage of their work, fought to ensure AI couldn’t be trained on their creative output without consent. Actors, on the other hand, sought clear boundaries on how AI could replicate their performances. Together, their struggle set a catalyst for future labor movements, shaping the course of resistance against automation.
It is intriguing how the Hollywood strikes emerged as the most prominent example of workers combatting AI in 2023. As Brian Merchant, author of “Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech,” observed, the confrontations between the unions and studios unfolded amidst a growing skepticism of Silicon Valley and its disruptive technologies.
The initial demands of the WGA regarding AI stipulations seemed unlikely to ignite intense conflict. However, with the rise of OpenAI and ChatGPT, these demands transformed into a central issue. As Merchant explains, the clash between humans and AI reached its pinnacle during this period, resulting in a resounding victory for the human workforce.
Their timely resistance couldn’t have come at a better moment. Throughout 2023, numerous professions, from painters to coders and beyond, faced the looming threat of job displacement due to machine learning. Automation was no longer a distant concept; it had become a pressing concern. IBM’s CEO estimated that thousands of jobs at the company could be performed by bots in the coming years, while a Goldman Sachs report predicted nearly 300,000 jobs worldwide to be affected by automation.
The heightened apprehension caused individuals to seek refuge in organized labor, recognizing the need for protection against AI-driven disruptions. However, some unions, such as the United Auto Workers and Teamsters, lagged behind in addressing the potential impact of AI on employment. MIT engineering professor Yossi Sheffi aptly argued that overlooking these issues would harm both workers and employers, leaving them ill-prepared for automation’s inevitable intrusion.
As the year progressed, the resistance expanded beyond unions. Authors and visual artists, fearing the usage of their creative work by large language models, filed lawsuits against prominent AI entities. These legal battles added yet another front to the ongoing struggle between humans and AI, further highlighting the need to establish boundaries and protect creative output.
Governments, recognizing the urgency, eventually entered the fray. The US President, Joe Biden, signed an executive order in November, aiming to mitigate AI’s impact on human work and provide federal support to workers facing labor disruptions caused by automation. World leaders convened at the AI Safety Summit in the UK, seeking to strike a balance between harnessing the power of machine learning while containing its potential threats.
AI undeniably offers opportunities for collaboration with human creativity. From writing books to creating unique forms of visual art, the partnership between humans and AI can lead to groundbreaking innovations. However, concerns arise when the line blurs, and AI takes on tasks traditionally reserved for human skill and expertise.
Journalism, for instance, demands skill and objectivity, areas where AI still struggles. Even as the AI advance loomed, many believed they would retire before their profession faced the AI takeover. However, Keanu Reeves, in an unexpected twist, challenged this assumption, emphasizing the industry’s inclination to replace creatives with AI-driven alternatives. This sentiment resonated profoundly, leading SAG to embark on their strike to safeguard the integrity of human performers.
While significant progress has been made, important questions remain unanswered. Can studios be entrusted to self-regulate? Will actors have the agency to lend their AI doubles for roles that might have otherwise gone to human performers? The road ahead is filled with uncertainty, and only time will reveal the path art and technology will take.
Yet, amidst the challenges, we must remember that AI also generates new opportunities. It is crucial to harness its potential while ensuring fair compensation for creative work. As we navigate this ever-evolving landscape, striking a balance between human ingenuity and technological advancement is crucial for the future of our industries.
In conclusion, the revolt against the march of artificial intelligence marked a defining moment in history. The collaboration between unions, authors, artists, and even governments showcased humanity’s resilience and determination to protect their craft. The battle against AI incursion continues, but the spirit of resistance prevails, illuminating the course for future workers and industries alike.
