The Town: Episode 15 - The Impact of AI in Hollywood

Welcome to another episode of The Town! In this episode, host Matt Belloni delves into the ongoing negotiations between the studios and the guilds regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Hollywood. Joining him is Justine Bateman, a filmmaker and consultant on AI for the SAG Actors Negotiating Committee. Together, they explore the potential implications of AI in the entertainment industry and discuss the key points surrounding this issue.

The Concerns Surrounding AI

One of the major concerns in the ongoing writers and actors strike is the role of AI in the creative process. The guilds are pushing for specific rules to prevent AI from writing credited scripts or being used as source material. Justine Bateman expresses her concerns about the long-term implications of AI in the industry, predicting that it could lead to the collapse of the traditional pipeline and result in the loss of many jobs.

Furthermore, Bateman believes that AI has the potential to automate various aspects of the entertainment industry, including film development, production, and even the decision-making process for greenlighting projects. She argues that the studios need to take more action to protect their copyrighted material from being used in AI models, as this could potentially lead to a loss of control over their own content.

The Potential Benefits of AI

While there are concerns about the impact of AI, Belloni and Bateman also discuss the potential benefits that AI could bring to Hollywood. They explore the idea of using AI to insert viewers into movies and customize content based on individual preferences. This could revolutionize the way movies are experienced and create a more personalized entertainment landscape.

The Outcome of the Negotiations

The episode concludes with a discussion on the potential outcomes of the ongoing negotiations. Bateman suggests that the studios may be using AI companies as a way to bypass the guilds and gain more control over the industry. This raises questions about the studios' approach to the issue and the potential consequences for the future of Hollywood.

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode of The Town as Matt Belloni and Justine Bateman explore the impact of AI in Hollywood and shed light on the ongoing negotiations between the studios and the guilds.

Matt is joined by Justine Bateman—writer, director, producer, former actress, and SAG-AFTRA negotiation committee consultant on the use of AI—to discuss if we are underestimating AI's overall impact and how it impacts the strike itself. They talk about whether the guilds are taking the right position on AI, what the future of content will look like if studios fully embrace AI, and if anything positive can come out of this. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the future of the Disney+ bundle after their latest price hikes. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Justine Bateman Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices