Actors, AI & the Future of Employment

As I write this article, 65,000 thousand Hollywood actors have joined the the strike with 11,000 writers. They are picketing for some of the typical reasons: higher pay and residuals. However, there is another aspect that is less typical but possibly more impactful – the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry.

New Negotiator at the Table – Ai

Actors have already been facing their digital doubles. They’re happy to have them stand-in for dangerous scenes. But there are mixed opinions among the thespians when it comes to digital replacements for those ‘intimate’ scenes. Writers would rather not have any digital stand-ins, whether it be for scripting dangerous, sensuous or any other scene. But they’re seeing the writing on the wall. They’re concerned that AI could dominate the scriptwriting process, potentially shaping the future of movie and television scenes and shutting them out of the business.

The phrase, ‘coming to a theatre near you’ is being rewritten. Second draft: ‘AI coming to a job near you‘. This is the script they don’t want to get green lit: ‘AI…coming for your job‘.

I’ve been talking to people who are on a payroll. While people are somewhat knowledgable about artificial intelligence encroaching on the employment scene, some seem to think it will never touch them.

A major reason for their sense of security, though false in many cases, is the gradual rollout of AI by employers. The large corporations with IT departments are the early adopters. The less resourced businesses are still on the sidelines watching, trying to figure out how they might incorporate AI into their business models. But make no mistake, most are looking. 

Prepare

Preparation is crucial, and everyone needs to take action to keep up with the changing landscape. This includes you. Employees should start educating themselves about AI development and find areas where they can align their passion with the evolving job market. The pace of AI growth is only going to accelerate, and staying ahead of the curve will be essential to remaining relevant in the workplace.

Employers also have a responsibility to help their employees transition during this transformation. They can begin by educating their workforce about AI and directing them towards growth industries. Embracing this change will create a win-win situation for both employers and employees.

Passion

Employees need to stay abreast of AI development. They then need to drill down to areas where they can find passion in employment. Why is passion important?

The pace of AI growth is not likely to slow down. Instead, it will only pick up speed in the near future.

The statistics regarding AI replacing 300 million full-time jobs worldwide may be alarming, but technology always opens up new opportunities. Instead of fearing the changes, individuals should view this as a chance to explore new possibilities and follow their passions with purpose. That will not only sustain their careers, but accelerate them.

Actor or not, you’re in a reality show

It’s crucial for all employees to prepare themselves for an AI-infused work environment, embracing the changes and seeking out new opportunities. The key is to stay informed, be proactive, and remain passionate about the future. This can create a positive outcome amidst the evolving landscape. Now is the time to take the reins of your employment future and embrace the potential that AI brings.

FYI: This Google search of ‘Jobs of the future’ provided some interesting ideas.

Good News

Scene Behind the Curtain

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