The Writers Guild of America (WGA) approves of artificial intelligence penning scripts as long as writers retain the rights to their work and receive due compensation.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has not implemented a fortuitous restriction on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate scripts. Instead, it is allowing certain programs like ChatGPT to aid in its production. According to Variety, the union will permit these applications but has set out regulations on their usage.
The use of ChatGPT in scriptwriting could provide a new avenue for writers to get their work done without having to divide residuals or share writing credit. A studio executive may also present an AI-generated script that the writer can refine, thus still classifying them as the first writer of the project.
The proposed legislation enables writers to utilize AI technology while avoiding disputes with software providers. Its effects would be equivalent to utilizing other tools, such as a pencil or Final Draft, instead of treating it as an actual writer.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) released on Wednesday, via Twitter, the details of their proposal discussed at the first bargaining session with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). No response has been received yet from AMPTP regarding this proposal.
The WGA says:
“The WGA’s proposal to regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies ensures the Companies can’t use AI to undermine writers’ working standards including compensation, residuals, separated rights and credits,”
“AI can’t be used as source material, to create MBA-covered writing or rewrite MBA-covered work, and AI-generated text cannot be considered in determining writing credits.”
“May not be assigned AI-generated material to adapt, nor may AI software generate covered literary material.”
The WGA went on to say:
“In the same way that a studio may point to a Wikipedia article, or other research material, and ask the writer to refer to it, they can make the writer aware of AI-generated content,”
“But, like all research material, it has no role in guild-covered work, nor in the chain of title in the intellectual property. It is important to note that AI software does not create anything. It generates a regurgitation of what it’s fed.”
The union determined that Artificial Intelligence was likely to undertake plagiarism, having difficulty distinguishing between content that is copyrighted and that which is in the public domain.
In the same way that a studio may introduce their writer to Wikipedia articles or other types of research material, they can likewise make them aware of AI-generated content.
AI software cannot differentiate between copyright-protected and public-domain content. Therefore, its output is not eligible for copyright protection, nor can it be used to sign a certificate of authorship.
Director Spielberg recently raised alarm bells concerning using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in artistic endeavors. He has expressed his opinion that using AI gives an unfair competitive edge to those with access to sophisticated technologies.
Steven Spielberg says:
“Computer autonomy over your point of view and your self as a human person.”
“I think the soul is unimaginable, and is ineffable,”
“And it cannot be created by any algorithm, it is just something that exists in all of us. And to lose that because books, and movies, and music are being written by machines we created? That terrifies me.”
The Writers Guild’s decision to approve AI-generated scripts raises important ethical and legal questions about ownership and authorship of creative works. As the use of AI technology in creative fields continues to evolve, it is essential to establish clear guidelines and regulations to protect the rights of all parties involved.
Overall, the Writers Guild’s approval of AI-generated scripts represents a significant step forward in integrating AI technology into creative writing. While it may take time to realize the potential of AI in creative fields fully, this decision signals a willingness to embrace innovation and explore new ways of storytelling.
Source: Breitbart
