While technology companies warn that artificial intelligence could eventually destroy humanity, major entertainment unions argue that the public should instead focus on the immediate threats already present in their industry. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America East responded to inquiries from The Verge regarding these existential claims. Neither organisation provided a comment on the distant future risks. They did, however, issue statements concerning the current use of generative tools by studios such as Disney, Netflix, Amazon and Lionsgate. These groups highlighted that the real danger lies in the displacement of workers and the erosion of creative control rather than a hypothetical end of the world.
The industry leaders point out that the technology is already being deployed to replace human actors and writers without adequate compensation or consent. Their concern centres on the practical impact of these tools on livelihoods and the integrity of storytelling today. The focus remains on stopping the current exploitation of labour rather than preparing for a sci-fi scenario.
- Studios have begun using AI for lip-syncing and dubbing without full transparency.
- Unions are pushing for new contracts to regulate these specific applications.
- Immediate job losses are cited as the primary risk to workers.
