As the SAG-AFTRA strike rages on, Netflix is turning to AI to keep its projects on the road.
The streaming giant just advertised an artificial intelligence product manager role – and they have a near million-dollar budget for the new position.
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As actors and writers pursue higher base pay and better job security, Netflix is hiring a specialist for up to USD $900,000 (£698,900) a year.
Unsurprisingly, this has drawn spectacular criticism online.
The job listing says Netflix strives to “shape the future of entertainment” and that “artificial intelligence is powering innovation in all areas of the business”.
Netflix says AI not only aids users in finding the right film and shows to watch but they’re using it to actually make content.
In the posting, Netflix revealed it intends to “develop, deploy and improve their machine-learning models.”
The hot topic of AI is becoming a scary one for many creatives as it threatens job prospects and, currently, is taking the wind out of striking.
Its effect on the industry is a core issue being campaigned against by both the Screen Actors Guild of America and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
The Hollywood hiatus shows no signs of stopping as big corporations continue to replace the work of humans with advancing tech.
In fact, SAG-AFTRA strikers recently turned down a pretty controversial offer.
Actors were reportedly offered immortalised AI-enhanced CGI versions of themselves, for the grand one-off payment of $200.
The quickly rejected proposal would have seen performers scanned for their likeness to be used indefinitely in future projects, without receiving residual payments.
SAG-AFTRA went on record saying studios would “own that scan, their image, their likeness, and be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want with no consent and no compensation.”
The Hollywood strike is continuing full steam ahead, but so is AI.
