Netflix and Other Entertainment Giants Face Backlash for AI Job Listings Amid Writers Guild Strike
Press Releases India
Netflix and other major entertainment companies like Disney have come under scrutiny for posting high-paying positions related to artificial intelligence (AI) during the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. The strike has been fueled by demands from writers and actors for better pay, with a significant portion of the guild’s 170,000-plus performers earning no more than $26,000 per year. In response, studios have advertised lucrative AI job opportunities, with Netflix’s listing, offering a salary of up to $900,000, drawing particular attention.
Initially, the job description included AI’s involvement in various aspects of the business, including content creation. However, Netflix recently revised the post, shortening it and focusing exclusively on AI’s role in viewer personalization and revenue-focused initiatives.
The strike, which commenced in May, has not only seen writers on picket lines but has also garnered support from members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). This marks the first dual union walkout in over six decades. Both WGA and SAG-AFTRA are pressing for guarantees that AI will not replace human creatives, a major sticking point in their negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The AMPTP comprises major studios, including Netflix, Disney, and Amazon, and has thus far refused to rule out AI’s involvement in content creation.
The ongoing strikes have had a substantial impact on the entertainment industry, leading to the temporary suspension of late-night shows and the postponement of release dates for several high-profile movies, such as Avatar and Marvel films.
George R.R. Martin, renowned author of the Game of Thrones book series, has labeled the current strike as “the most important of my lifetime.” While some of his projects have been affected, the Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon remains in production. Despite the AMPTP’s offer of an increased pay deal and additional protections, tensions persist between the studios and the guilds. Netflix’s update to the AI job listing suggests that the criticism has not been overlooked or ignored.
