A Stance on GenAI in the Film & Television Industry

Yesterday, members of the entertainment labor union IATSE ratified a contract that contains the following sentence:

"The Producer may require employees to use any Artificial Intelligence System or resulting output of such systems for use in connection with the performance of covered work."

This is a pivotal moment for industry creatives and consumers alike to consider their stance on the use of generative AI in our media and in our workplaces. As an artist working in the television space, it has already been suggested that I use generative AI in a way that would replace a human artist. I said no, and I voted no on this contract.

This post is not intended to shame film crew who voted yes. It has been an exceptionally difficult year for film crew, and most of us knew this contract would ratify. We stood in solidarity with WGA and SAG-AFTRA as they fought for (and won) protections against artificial intelligence. To see IATSE falter on AI protections for it’s own members is deeply disheartening.

But if there’s one thing this wild industry has taught me, it’s resiliency.

I created #aGraphicDesignerMadeThat to celebrate the incredible contributions that graphic designers make in the film and television industry.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to #aHumanMadeThat – a rallying cry for all who create and love human-made art and design.

Use it. Share it. Fight for it.

#aHumanMadeThat

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Title: Office Board

Artist: John F. Peto (1854–1907)

Date: 1885

Medium: Oil on canvas

Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Public Domain Collection.