Movies

Television Academy to raise AI with lawmakers: ‘We want to focus on its ethical use’

BBG News

For many years, the Television Academy has been honoring exceptional work within the industry by presenting the Emmy Awards every autumn.

However, the organization based in North Hollywood is expanding its horizons. With significant changes in television broadcasting, creation, and technology – such as the swift integration of artificial intelligence – this nonprofit group is amplifying its influence. They are delving into public policies impacting the industry more profoundly to better represent their multifaceted membership.

This week, Chairperson Cris Abrego and CEO Maury McIntyre of the Television Academy embarked on a visit to Washington D.C., where they held discussions with legislators regarding potential laws concerning artificial intelligence. This journey signifies the academy’s top brass venturing into lobbying for the first time.

Creative professionals such as writers, actors, and artists are apprehensive about AI usage, as they worry that cost-cutting businesses may replace human workers with automated systems, leading to job losses. The prolonged labor disputes in 2023 between the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and studio executives centered around advocating for artists’ rights.

“Television is being impacted,” McIntyre said in an interview.

The Television Academy aims to widen its purpose to cater to all its approximately 30,000 members, not just those fortunate enough to win the trophy depicting a woman holding an atom aloft. This statuette was created during the early days of the Space Age, over 70 years ago when television was disrupting the traditional Hollywood studio system as an innovative medium.

Abrego, an established producer in the reality show scene who has been at the helm for the past year, is set to convene with Senator Alex Padilla of California (a recent Democratic addition), Representative Laura Friedman from Glendale (also a Democrat) and Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas. They also aim to interact with the staff members of Senators Todd Young (Republican, Indiana), Mike Rounds (Republican, South Dakota) and Jay Obernolte (Republican, California).

The interview was edited for length and clarity:

Are you planning to visit Washington D.C., as media organizations, industry associations, and labor unions often do? If so, what objectives are you hoping to achieve during this trip?

McIntyre: We cover every facet of television. Matters that concern our community can be tackled impartially. The influence of AI is considerable for our members, and they require representation since their voices aren’t being heard at present. Our primary focus lies in addressing concerns shared by all our members and advocating on their behalf without any political bias.

Hollywood Inc.

Cris Abrego, who is among the rare high-ranking Latino executives in Hollywood, manages both the U.S. and Latin American divisions of the powerhouse reality TV company, Banijay.

One of the few prominent Latino executives in Hollywood, Cris Abrego, handles operations for Banijay, a dominant force in reality television, across the United States and Latin America.

How is the academy approaching AI and the challenges presented by it?

Abrego: This sector has consistently adopted technology for years. We aim to participate in discussions about integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our field, utilizing it as a means to enhance content production. At the same time, we are committed to upholding individual rights, enabling them to express their creativity freely.

McIntyre: We fully comprehend that AI serves as a tool, one which we endorse for use. We’re not heading to Washington to express any worries about employing AI. Instead, our primary focus is on ensuring its ethical application, particularly in areas concerning copyright and artist rights. Given our status as a storytelling and content creation academy, we’re committed to safeguarding the intellectual property of our narratives and content.

California

As a movie buff peering into the future, I can see that California policymakers will be stepping up their efforts to regulate AI in 2024. However, they’ll encounter obstacles as they work to implement safeguards aimed at mitigating AI’s effects on employment, safety, and discrimination issues.

What is your benchmark for success for this trip?

Abrego: Our aim is to demonstrate the valuable contribution the academy can make in shaping legislation, by sharing insights from our diverse membership – stunt performers, visual effects artists, makeup artists, and directors. We aren’t a union or a production company, but we strive to generate worth for our members, while also being part of the international economic landscape.

Movies

Workers in Hollywood look back at the year 2024, recalling periods of reduced filming, mental health challenges, and personal sacrifices as they prepare for a tentative rebound, acknowledging its vulnerability.

Is the academy also advocating for measures to try preserve L.A.’s production economy?

I firmly agree: Undeniably, a significant portion of our members call California home, and re-establishing production here is absolutely essential. It’s a Herculean task, but the journey must begin at the state level.

McIntyre: We wholeheartedly endorse the proposed expansion of the tax break that Governor Newsom outlined in his budget. We’d welcome a discussion about introducing a federal tax break to encourage production within the U.S. The issue isn’t just about productions leaving California, it’s about them departing from the U.S. altogether. Any measures we can take to motivate domestic production would be significant.

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2025-02-11 02:01

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