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Hollywood’s actors and writers have both gone on strike for the first time since 1960 to protest against a number of decisions by major studios that include not just job cuts but also a potentially unsettling future in which they could be replaced by artificial intelligence. The leaders of SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood union representing 160,000 television and movie actors, went on strike on Thursday, joining the industry’s screenwriters who have already been picketing for over 70 days. Among the many issues flagged by both the writers and actors in the protests has been how generative AI tools could replace their roles in the industry. Over the last decade, AI has found several uses in the movie and television industry, from de-aging actors, analysing patterns and behaviours of viewers on streaming platforms, bringing back the voices of late actors and even helping stitch together entire movie trailers. One of the proposals, as explained by SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, feels like it is straight out of dystopian science fiction series Black Mirror. During a press conference on Thursday, Mr Crabtree-Ireland alleged that a proposal from Hollywood studios was to use “groundbreaking AI” to scan background performers and only offer them a day’s pay while the companies get to own the scans and use them for any project they want. “This ‘groundbreaking’ AI proposal that they gave us yesterday, they proposed that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get one day’s pay, and their companies should own that scan, their image, their likeness and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity on any project they want, with no consent and no compensation,” the executive said. “If you think that’s a groundbreaking proposal, I suggest you think again,” Mr Crabtree-Ireland said. A statement from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), that represents the studios, claims the “groundbreaking AI” proposal “protects actors’ digital likenesses for SAG-AFTRA members”. “We are being victimized by a very greedy enterprise... The entire business model has been changed by streaming and AI If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in jeopardy,” the actors’ guild president Fran Drescher said on Thursday. Follow along here for real-time updates on the SAG-AFTRA strike Writers who have already been protesting since May have also sought assurances from studios that their jobs would not be threatened by AI. With the steady rise of online streaming services looking to rack up user subscriptions by churning out endless amounts of digital content, writers on strike have sought new pay structures, guaranteed periods of work as well as better discussions on the limits of AI use. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) shared concerns that producers may seek to use AI to write scripts or at least use the technology to complete unfinished screenplays, and have also urged production houses to agree to safeguards around its usage. Screenwriters fear AI could be used to churn out a rough first draft with a few simple prompts and writers may then be hired after this initial step to punch such drafts up – albeit at a lower pay rate. Without further dialogue with studios, writers have raised concerns there could be a number of new ways that AI could be used to craft outlines for stories, fill in scenes and even come up with mock-up drafts. “There are ways it can be useful. But too many people are using it against us and using it to create mediocrity. They’re also in violation of copyright. They’re also plagiarizing,” Michael Winship, president of the WGA East, said in May. With these risks in mind, the WGA seeks more safeguards on how AI can be applied to the screenwriting process. Read More Hollywood actors and writers strike after ‘disgusting’ studios turn down deal. Here’s what it means for you Hollywood in historic shutdown as actors union joins writers strike: ‘The eyes of the world are upon us’ Cast of Oppenheimer walk out of UK premiere ahead of actors’ strike announcement What happens next as striking actors send Hollywood into meltdown? Issa Rae and Jamie Lee Curtis lead A-listers voicing support for actors strike Hollywood in historic shutdown as actors union joins writers strike

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Two totally different interviews took place on the Formula One grid at Silverstone on Sunday, as Sky presenter and racing legend Martin Brundle looked to speak to actor Cara Delevingne and musician Sam Ryder ahead of the British Grand Prix. Brundle, famed for his grid walk chats on ITV, the BBC and now Sky Sports, was hoping to speak to Delevingne before the race took place, as celebs lucky enough to walk down the prestigious path typically speak to the media. Cutting away from footage of a flyover from the iconic Red Arrows, Brundle can be seen chatting to an official standing next to the Suicide Squad actor who told him the celeb “doesn’t want to talk”. “Everybody needs to talk on the grid. That’s the deal now, everybody talks on the grid,” he replied. Moving towards Delevingne, the broadcaster and former racing driver said: “Can we have a quick chat? Sky F1? Good to see you on the grid.” The model smiled and said no, before leaning in to listen to the male official and saying she “can’t hear anything”. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter She then apologised before issuing a thumbs up to the camera. After Delevingne snubbed his request for a chat, Brundle turned away and muttered sarcastically: “OK, well, I’m sure it would have been extremely interesting.” Ouch. It’s not the first time Brundle has been snubbed by a high-profile name, as bodyguards for rapper Megan Thee Stallion pushed him away as he tried to interview her back in 2021. The awkward encounter has since split the internet, with some describing Delevingne’s response as “rude” while others claimed she had the right to turn down the request for a chat: Yet in a separate clip from the grid, Brundle was given a “man hug” and handshake by Eurovision runner-up and “Space Man” singer Sam Ryder. “So wonderful to meet you. Hello, everyone,” beamed the musician as he waved to the camera. The singer then discussed Homeland actor Damian Lewis singing the national anthem at the event, which he did last year, saying Lewis is “going to smash it” and has “got it covered”. Ryder then proceeded to discuss the racers as they walked down the grid, with the star confirming he was backing McLaren’s team in the race after their “wicked start”. “Anyway, I’m talking your ear off. Take care,” he said, grabbing hold of Brundle once more. This time around, the broadcaster quipped Ryder could “take my job if you wanted to”. The friendly interaction has seen Ryder branded an “absolute legend” on social media, with Twitter users comparing his interaction with Sky Sports to that of Delevingne’s: Delevingne has since responded to the backlash on Twitter and said she was “told to say no [by an F1 representative] so I did”. “Anyway, I had so much fun today and was so happy to be there no matter what anyone else may think,” she added. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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