AI Update: WGA Strike's AI Terms, Google's AI Generated Shift, DeepDub CEO Interview

BREAKING NEWS

WGA's New Contract: AI is Not a Writer, Solo Scribe Shows Don't Need Minimum Staff, and More

After a grueling strike, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) secured a comprehensive deal that exceeded expectations

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has emerged from a lengthy strike and difficult contract negotiations with a deal that surpasses industry expectations. The 148-day work stoppage, coupled with the simultaneous strike by SAG-AFTRA, gave the WGA the leverage it needed to achieve its goals. Let's take a closer look at the key issues addressed in the tentative agreement reached between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Minimum TV Writers Room Staffing
The WGA requested a minimum of six writers for a series with at least six episodes per season. The agreement calls for at least three writer-producers to be hired on all series, with the number increasing based on the number of episodes ordered. However, the contract makes an exception for solo-writer shows, such as "The White Lotus" or "Big Little Lies," where all episodes are written by a single writer.

Improved Streaming Residuals:
The WGA fought for better residual fees for writers from streaming platforms. The new agreement introduces a "success-based bonus" for original TV shows and movies that become broad-based hits on subscription-based platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The bonus ranges from $9,000 to $16,400 for TV episodes and $40,500 for feature films with a budget over $30 million. This bonus structure takes effect for titles released after January 1, 2024.

Artificial Intelligence:
The WGA negotiated provisions to protect writers from the use of generative AI in the creative process. The guild has the power to challenge the use of writers' existing work to train AI software programs.

The contract explicitly states that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material and that AI-generated material cannot be used to undermine a writer's credit or separate rights.

Screenwriters:
The contract ensures that the majority of screenwriters will receive a "second step" or payment for at least one rewrite of a draft screenplay. This provision applies to both original and non-original screenplays, addressing the WGA's concern that studios would focus more on remakes and IP-driven content. The contract also addresses payment schedules for screenplays, with specific deadlines for payment based on the delivery of drafts.

Writing Teams:
The contract addresses the challenges faced by writing duos or larger groups in earning the minimum threshold required for health care benefits. Each writer in a team will be credited with earning the full fee for the purposes of calculating health and pension benefits.

The new WGA contract represents a significant victory for the guild, with improvements in minimum staffing, streaming residuals, protection against AI exploitation, and better terms for screenwriters and writing teams. The WGA's successful negotiation sets a precedent for other guilds and unions in the industry, highlighting the power of collective bargaining.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for writers to have a strong voice and fair compensation for their creative contributions. The WGA's new contract sets a standard for the industry and reinforces the importance of valuing the work of writers in the digital age.

The WGA's success should serve as a reminder to other industry players that writers are the backbone of the entertainment business. Without their talent and creativity, there would be no stories to tell. It is time for the industry to recognize the value of writers and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.

In the end, the WGA's struggle and ultimate triumph should be celebrated as a victory for all writers and a step forward in creating a more equitable and sustainable entertainment industry.:

OTHER NEWS

Google's Shift to AI-Generated Content Raises Concerns for Content Creators

The search engine giant prioritizes quality over origin, leaving content creators to compete with AI-generated content.

In a surprising move, Google has updated its search engine optimization (SEO) policy, shifting its focus from content "created by humans" to quality content. This means that AI-generated content will now be picked up by SEO algorithms, sparking concerns and debates among content creators.

Last year, Google took a stand against AI-generated content on its search results. However, the latest update reveals a complete shift in approach, with Google now emphasizing the value and accuracy of information provided by search results rather than policing AI content. This change has had a significant impact on SEO, leading to fluctuations and frustrations among content creators.

Content creators are now facing the challenge of competing with AI-generated content, which has resulted in a drop in engagement on their websites. Many creators have expressed their annoyance at the biased search results favoring AI-generated content, with one user stating, "Google is apparently forcing publishers to generate AI spam or die."

To address the ongoing debate between AI and human-generated content, Google has published a blog post stating that its new policy is designed to reward websites with high-quality content that is helpful to users.

This means that even sites with AI-generated content can rank high on the search engine if they provide valuable information and are not created solely to attract clicks. Google's spokesperson emphasized that the company is concerned with the quality and helpfulness of a webpage, regardless of the method of content production.

Google analyzes content quality based on the Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust (EEAT) score. The company's search quality raters, estimated to be around 16,000 contractors, score websites based on these parameters.

These ratings are then used to refine machine learning algorithms that surface pages likely to be helpful to users.

In addition to the shift in SEO focus, Google is also penalizing AI-generated product reviews. While these reviews can be of high quality, they can also be inaccurate.

Google uses a combination of human experts and machine learning algorithms to enforce this update, ensuring that AI-generated reviews are taken down.

While the shift towards AI-generated content may raise concerns among content creators, it is unlikely that AI will completely displace human creators. Google's revenue heavily relies on its search engine, and the company is constantly updating its SEO features to reward content creators.

Google has already integrated AI responses for simple questions and is working towards a more personalized and relevant search experience.

Google's decision to prioritize quality over origin in its search engine rankings has sparked debates and frustrations among content creators.

While AI-generated content is now given more prominence, Google's focus on helpful and high-quality content provides an opportunity for both AI and human-generated content to thrive. As the search engine continues to evolve, it is crucial for content creators to adapt and find ways to provide valuable and engaging content to users.

The rise of AI-generated content raises important questions about the future of content creation and the role of technology in shaping our online experiences.

It is essential for both content creators and users to stay informed and actively participate in discussions surrounding these developments. Only by understanding the implications and actively shaping the future can we ensure a balanced and valuable online ecosystem.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Interview with the CEO of DeepDub AI which helps internationalize video through incredible AI dubbing.

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