The newly unveiled ChatGPT-maker OpenAI’s text-to-video generation tool, Sora, has Hollywood concerned about the jobs it’s going to take away in the coming years.
The AI tool can create cinematic, realistic videos with just text prompts, raising worries that the jobs of sound engineers, voice actors and special effects workers will be hit the most.
A January survey of 300 entertainment industry leaders estimates nearly 204,000 positions will be adversely affected due to AI in the next three years, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
AI tools are already being used in various areas, including storyboarding and shot planning.
Generative artificial intelligence program Midjourney is utilized for initial renderings of several VFX works, and has reduced billed hours and available jobs, say several artists.
Even celebrities feel the AI pinch
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry paused his $800 million Atlanta studio expansion, involving adding 12 soundstages, after viewing Sora’s capabilities last week. “A lot of jobs are going to be lost,” he said in an interview.
AI writing, images, audio and videos threatening the livelihood of actors and writers were a key part of their labor strike negotiations in 2023.
OpenAI has stated it will engage with policymakers and artists before releasing Sora widely.
Despite the worries, some industry professionals are excited to collaborate with AI and stay competitive. They anticipate AI’s continued integration into the filmmaking process will reshape traditional workflows and job roles.