Netflix is offering lucrative job opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), with salaries ranging from $300,000 to $900,000 annually. This comes as actors and writers in Hollywood are protesting against low compensation, earning only around $26,000 per year on average. As tensions rise, Hollywood has reportedly made a peculiar proposal to scan actors using AI technology to use their likenesses indefinitely in movies and series. The use of AI in various industries has led to concerns over job losses, similar to the impact on factory workers with the rise of automation. Netflix’s hiring of AI professionals reflects this ongoing trend.
The most intriguing role on Netflix’s job platform is the “Product Manager – Machine Learning Platform.” This position involves overseeing the development and maintenance of the company’s AI products and services. It also includes planning the implementation of AI in existing systems. The salary range for this role is substantial, offering between $300,000 and $900,000 per year.
In stark contrast, actors and writers continue to protest their inadequate pay, which falls far below the salaries offered in the AI field. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) have failed to reach a new contract agreement, leading to the current strike. These protests highlight not only issues of low wages but also concerns about the impact of AI and streaming on the industry.
One particularly contentious proposal from Hollywood involves the scanning of actors’ likenesses without their consent. SAG chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland revealed that Hollywood had suggested that background performers be scanned and their likenesses used indefinitely in any project, without providing compensation or obtaining consent. This revelation has added fuel to the ongoing protests and outrage among actors and writers.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher expressed her dismay over the treatment of artists in the industry, emphasizing the need for action to protect their rights. She warned that failing to stand up to the use of AI and big business could result in the replacement of artists with machines and further exploitation.
The AMPTP has stated its willingness to meet some of SAG-AFTRA’s demands regarding AI usage, promising to seek consent and provide fair compensation for digitally recreating an artist. However, the two parties must still address other pressing issues contributing to the ongoing strike.
As Netflix continues to expand its AI capabilities, there are concerns about the impact on the entertainment industry as a whole. These recent job listings may signal the streaming giant’s heightened focus on digitalization and AI integration. The company has been incorporating AI into its shows and films, such as the Spanish reality series “Deep Fake Love,” which featured couples reacting to fake videos of partners cheating.
While Netflix has not provided further comments on the AI job listings at this time, it is crucial to understand the broader implications of AI and its transformative effects on society.
