As a seasoned gamer with a lifelong passion for animation and a keen interest in technology, I find myself standing at the precipice of an exciting yet uncertain future. The advent of generative AI in the realm of animation is undeniably intriguing, but it’s hard not to feel a pang of concern when reading about its potential impact on the livelihoods of my fellow artists and animators.
In the run-up to the upcoming contract talks that could shape the application of generative AI in the animation industry for years to come, The Animation Guild has published a paper outlining the potential risks this technology may pose to its workforce.
Pivotal Juncture: Examining the Role of Advanced AI in Animation and Upholding Worker Security,” a report by the union’s AI task force, reveals that AI-generated applications and software have the potential to influence many roles within our union, ranging from design and production to animation and scriptwriting. At present, technology enables the creation of 3D models, detailed 3D environments, imaginative concepts, and full-color renderings.
Based on a survey conducted by the Animation Guild and Concept Art Association this year, which polled company executives involved in animation, approximately 78% of these companies plan to embrace generative AI within the next three years, making them early adopters. Nearly half (49%) of these companies expect to use the technology for creating 3D assets, while a slightly lower percentage (41%) anticipate using it to produce 2D artwork. Approximately one-third (33%) foresee implementing generative AI in their productivity organization and management strategies, while around a quarter (25%) envision using it to generate screenplays for films and television shows.
The report predicts that entry-level positions could face significant changes, such as consolidation or removal, in the coming period, primarily due to advancements in AI technology. Furthermore, it’s noted that this shift may particularly impact individuals from low-income backgrounds and underrepresented communities, who have historically relied on these roles as a pathway for economic advancement.
The report comes at a crucial moment for the union, since the Animation Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have hit an impasse over the topic of AI during their ongoing contract talks. Both sides will reconvene for negotiations on Monday.
On Thursday, the Animation Guild emphasized that addressing generative AI is their foremost concern in ongoing negotiations. According to the union, a survey they conducted among their members in March revealed unanimous support for incorporating clauses into the union agreement that prohibit the employment of generative AI from replacing member’s jobs. Nearly 87% of respondents also expressed a desire to prevent employers from using unionized work to educate generative AI systems, while 75% advocated for setting minimum staffing levels and minimum job tenure to mitigate any potential disruption caused by generative AI.
In this year’s negotiations, the union’s artificial intelligence committee proposes taking action in response to the progress of generative AI. This includes reaching out to lawmakers about the matter, promoting legislation that offers tax incentives for work produced by humans, monitoring potential regulations, organizing informational campaigns, and contemplating how courts might influence the technology’s development in the future.
The research we conducted indicates that GenAI systems could potentially endanger animation professionals, making it crucial for us to participate in conversations and decision-making about GenAI. This is essential to safeguard our interests and preserve the authenticity of our work, the task force emphasized at the end of their report. Through collective bargaining and other initiatives, the task force aims to guarantee that the industry adapts to AI progress without compromising the employment and rights of its workers.
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2024-09-13 00:55