Hollywood writers’ labor win on AI matters for all workers

April 13, 2024

Hollywood writers’ labor win on generative AI matters for all workers

For decades, automation was concentrated in routine, blue-collar jobs rather than highly creative and cognitive roles. But OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT 3.5 in late 2022 changed the paradigm. Now, advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to substantially disrupt the writing profession.

The technology’s potential threat was at the forefront of the 2023 labor dispute between Hollywood writers and the studios that employ them. After a 148-day strike, the Writers Guild of America secured a contract with historic AI protections for its members.

In the first part of a new Brookings Metro series on workers and AI, Molly Kinder speaks with five Hollywood writers about generative AI, what’s at stake for themselves and society, the things policymakers should know, and what workers in other professions can learn from their experiences.

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A key point

“Striking was one of the hardest things I have done. We showed up every day to show not only the companies but the entire country that we were serious about these concerns to our livelihood. If you could do it here in this industry, it will bleed into other industries as well.”

— Jackie Penn, TV writer for “4400” and “Turner and Hooch”

🎬 Learn about the Hollywood writers who participated in the series

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