When tech companies unveiled their AI models, many people were worried about their jobs. The fear that machines would replace human labor was strong and spread quickly. But the initial chaos eventually subsided and people's concerns eased.
That doesn't mean AI hasn't caused harm in the workplace, though. At the same time, we can still see that some sectors are more vulnerable to this threat than others. Last summer, workers in the film industry protested against the use of AI.
Strikes under the auspices of the Writers Guild of America paralyzed the industry at the time, causing production to slow down or temporarily halt, thus affecting the filming of well-known and popular series such as Stranger Things and Euphoria.
However, the entertainment industry encompasses much more than just movies and TV shows. One of the largest segments is digital games. Recently, employees in the video game industry lost their temper and decided to protest for better working conditions.
After a year and a half without an agreement
While you need live actors to create movies, this may not be a requirement for digital games. Game characters are often fully created using computer programs, but their animation is all the more difficult. That's why they use motion capture.
Sometimes it is enough for anyone to record the movement, other times it has to be a specific person, e.g. a famous Hollywood actor. This offer has been accepted in the past Keanu Reeves for Cyberpunk 2077 or the trio of Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydox for Death Stranding.
Gaming companies and a union representing over 2,500 video game performers They've been speculating for a year and a half. on the new contract. Both sides say they have agreed on issues such as wages and job security, but the split came over artificial intelligence, the BBC reports.
The SAG-AFTRA union claims in its statement that "the employers refuse to confirm clearly and enforceably that they will protect all artists covered by this contract" from exploitation through artificial intelligence.
However, game studios believe they have made enough concessions to the union. "We are disappointed that the unions have decided to walk away when we are so close to an agreement," said Audrey Cooling, a spokeswoman for 10 game companies negotiating with the unions.
They surrounded Warner Bros.
Since they did not agree on the terms of artificial intelligence, the unions went on strikeThese strikes could affect Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Bros. Games.
The strike took place in front of Warner Bros. Studios on Thursday, August 1, with more than 300 video game artists gathering there. Chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland took the stage to address the protesters, AP News reports.
Embark Studios used artificial intelligence to voice the characters in The Finals. Source: Embark Studios"We have made deals with studios and streaming companies. We have reached no-strike agreements with the major record labels and countless other employers that ensure informed consent and fair compensation for our members," stated.
"Yet, for some reason, video game companies are refusing to do this, and that will be fatal for them," continued his statement to AP News Crabtree-Ireland. Warner Bros. Games released Hogwarts Legacy or Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Just one of the problems
Artificial intelligence poses the greatest threat to actors and voice actors, but the work environment hides more problems that are not so widely publicized. It is a very stressful industry, as publishers and investors often pressure to meet unachievable deadlines.
Game developers are therefore often overworked, especially as they approach a title's release date. Last year, IGN published a survey by the Gameworkers organization, which found that up to 50 % employees of major studios experienced overtime so-called crunch.
"It's frustrating to work 14 hours a day and know that under California overtime laws I should be paid for 18 hours of my time when I only get paid for 8 hours," one of the game studio employees explained in the survey.
Game companies often literally squeeze their employees out of their jobs. But the problem with poor working conditions doesn't end there. Large studios often lay off employees en masse after they finish and release a title in development.