Hollywood's perspective on existential warnings about AI

As prominent figures in the technology industry warn that artificial intelligence could pose existential risks to humanity, entertainment labor organizations are asking people to look at the more immediate concerns affecting workers today. The Verge contacted Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Lionsgate, and several other studios that have begun deploying AI in their productions, along with film startups working to bring generative AI into mainstream moviemaking, seeking their responses to the recent wave of cautionary statements about the technology. None of the companies answered the request for comment. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) did respond, however.

What the Unions Are Saying

The two labor groups, which represent performers and writers across film and television, argue that speculation about distant catastrophic scenarios distracts from concrete harms already affecting their members. These include the use of AI-generated digital replicas of performers, concerns over how writers' material may be used to train AI systems, and the displacement of creative workers as studios experiment with automated production tools.

Studios and Startups Remain Silent

The absence of responses from major studios and AI-focused film startups underscores the awkward position these companies occupy. Many have invested heavily in generative AI tools for visual effects, scripting assistance, and production workflows, even as the broader tech industry fuels public anxiety about runaway artificial intelligence. Their silence leaves open questions about how they intend to balance innovation with the labor protections unions fought for in recent contract negotiations.

Why It Matters

The tension between big-picture AI doom narratives and workplace-level disputes has become a defining theme in the entertainment industry. After strikes that centered partly on AI protections, unions are determined to keep attention on bargaining-table realities rather than theoretical futures.

What to Watch

Whether any studios or startups eventually respond publicly, and how AI-related provisions are enforced in upcoming contracts, will shape the next round of negotiations between Hollywood labor and management.