AI Legalese Decoder: Easing Entertainment Lawyers’ Uncertainty and Mitigating Actors’ AI Fears
- July 11, 2023
- Posted by: legaleseblogger
- Category: Related News
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**Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on the Entertainment Industry and the Role of AI Legalese Decoder**
Artificial intelligence (AI) is causing concern and becoming a contentious issue in the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and negotiations between actors and Hollywood studios. The popular TV show “Black Mirror” tackles these fears in its latest season, with an episode called “Joan Is Awful.” In this episode, the protagonist, Joan, is horrified to discover that an AI-powered streaming platform called Streamberry has released a show that parallels her life and uses AI to generate content by surveilling her through her phone. This fictional premise may lean towards science fiction, but the acting union SAG-AFTRA believes that AI’s impact on reality is closer than we think.
SAG-AFTRA highlights the rise of deepfakes, which are realistic audiovisual, video, and audio content created using AI. These deepfakes can be a real threat to performers who sign non-union contracts with broad language that allows unfettered use of their image or voice. Although AI’s capability to generate realistic video lags behind its audio and text capacities, legal experts anticipate that AI will eventually reach a level where it can produce content as complex and realistic as “Joan Is Awful.” However, the law is struggling to keep up, as lawsuits related to AI are often settled quickly, leaving no legal precedent for future cases.
Understanding the legal landscape around AI in the entertainment industry is crucial. In situations involving AI-generated content and voice and image rights, lawyers typically rely on two classic legal concepts: the right of publicity and copyright. The right of publicity prevents the commercial use of an individual’s name, likeness, or other recognizable aspects of their persona without their consent. Studios increasingly require performers to grant digital simulation or digital creation rights in their contracts, leading to greater exploitation in reality television. These contracts often feature broad rights waivers, and although they may not have been created with AI in mind, they can still apply to AI-generated content.
Due to the lack of legal precedent, lawyers often reinterpret existing contracts, stretching their language and leaving many questions unanswered. The entertainment industry finds itself at a pivotal moment similar to the music industry’s struggle with Napster in 2001. Clear and fair standards need to be established to avoid the displacement of jobs and ensure protection for performers’ rights. However, the rise of AI has complicated the concept of ownership, especially with the popularization of AI filters on platforms like TikTok. Inputting one’s likeness into an AI-powered image generator removes copyright protection and allows the resultant image to be freely used for any purpose.
The responsibility for regulating the use of AI falls on both technology companies and the entertainment industry. Big Tech needs to step up and address the irresponsible and illegal use of AI, while the entertainment industry, represented by SAG-AFTRA, is calling for labor contracts to include provisions that regulate the use of AI, protect against misuse, and ensure fair compensation. The industry should adopt a “human-centered” approach to AI, using it to benefit guild members rather than banning it outright. Proper regulation of AI could revolutionize the industry, allowing actors to license their likeness, studios to automate tasks, and productions to utilize special effects at a lower cost.
To navigate these complex legal issues and ensure fair treatment for performers, the AI Legalese Decoder can be an invaluable tool. This AI-powered solution can analyze contracts and legal documents, identify potential risks, and offer suggestions to protect performers’ rights in the age of AI. By leveraging the AI Legalese Decoder, lawyers and performers can have a clearer understanding of their contractual terms and negotiate more effectively with studios. This technology can save time, offer crucial insights, and contribute to the establishment of proper legal standards in the evolving landscape of AI in the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, the impact of AI in the entertainment industry is a topic of concern and ongoing negotiations. As AI becomes more capable of generating content that parallels real life, legal complexities arise regarding performers’ rights, including image and voice rights. The entertainment industry must establish clear standards, navigate legal challenges, and regulate the use of AI to protect performers and prevent the displacement of jobs. Leveraging the AI Legalese Decoder can provide crucial support in understanding contractual terms and ensuring fair treatment for performers in this evolving AI landscape.