The Daily Prompt

GM, gm Wayfarers!

If you’re working with AI (of course you are or you wouldn’t be here), I hope you’re keeping up with the fight between SAG-AFTRA and video game publishers. In short:

“The strike went into effect at 12:01 AM this morning and comes after over EIGHTEEN MONTHS of negotiations. The sticking point is, you guessed it, protections against the use of AI in the game industry.” - Sarah

AI is like a virus, infecting everything and everyone. Yikes! And don’t think for a minute that this fight is just for folks connected to Hollywood or the video games industry, it’s coming for every sector and Palm Springs Coachella will not be immune.

So in keeping to our mission at SunshineFM of educating and elevating everyone in the Coachella Valley about all things AI, here’s your cheat sheet. Pass it around.

The Battle Over AI and Wages

SAG-AFTRA, representing actors and other performers, has initiated a strike against major video game companies. Key issues include wage hikes to cope with inflation, better safety measures, and most critically, protections against the unauthorized use of AI to replicate performers' voices and likenesses. Despite over a year of negotiations and some agreements, significant disagreements remain, particularly around AI usage, leading to this impasse.

Key Issues at Stake

Wages and Compensation: Performers seek salary increases that reflect the cost of living adjustments. This includes demands for better pay scales and benefits such as medical treatment and breaks for motion capture performers.

AI Protections: One of the most contentious issues is the unauthorized use of AI to replicate performers' voices and likenesses. SAG-AFTRA is fighting to ensure that any AI-generated work using an actor's voice or image requires explicit consent and fair compensation.

Broader Implications Across Industries

The issues raised by SAG-AFTRA aren't confined to Hollywood or the video game industry. They underscore a broader concern about the integration of AI across various sectors. As AI technology continues to evolve, industries must grapple with how to balance innovation with ethical considerations and the protection of workers' rights. Some sectors in our own backyard:

Entertainment and Creative Industries: The fight highlights the need for robust intellectual property (IP) regulations to protect individuals' likenesses and voices from being exploited by AI without proper consent and compensation. This precedent is likely to influence other creative fields, such as music, film, art, advertising, marketing, and local media where AI is increasingly used for content creation and replication.

Hospitality and Events: In the hospitality and events sector, AI is often used for customer service, personalized experiences, and operational efficiencies. The strike emphasizes the importance of ensuring that any AI tools used do not infringe on employees' rights or exploit their ideas, creativity and even personal data without consent. Establishing clear regulations and guidelines will be crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations.

Retail and Restaurants: For retail and restaurants, AI can enhance customer experience through personalized recommendations, menu creation and marketing, social media collateral, job descriptions, training materials, hiring practices, customer data management, and inventory management. However, just as in entertainment, there needs to be a careful consideration of how AI interacts with employees' roles and customer data. Ensuring transparency and fairness in AI applications will be essential to prevent misuse and build trust.

Learning from the SAG-AFTRA Fight

The SAG-AFTRA strike provides valuable lessons for local businesses and organizations in the Palm Springs Coachella area as they navigate the integration of AI technologies. Here’s a cheat-sheet that I’ve shared previously and remember, get ready for legal to get involved:

1. Develop Clear Policies: Establish guidelines on how AI tools can be used, specifying what type of data can be shared and what must remain confidential.

2. Training and Awareness: Educate employees about the potential risks of using AI tools and the importance of adhering to company policies.

3. Implement Security Measures: Use secure, company-approved AI tools that comply with data protection standards. Ensure these tools have robust encryption and privacy features.

4. Regular Audits and Monitoring: Conduct regular audits to monitor AI usage within the organization and ensure compliance with established policies.

5. Incorporate AI in a Controlled Environment: Start with non-sensitive areas to integrate AI, gradually expanding its use as policies and security measures are refined.

Conclusion

The ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies highlight the critical need for comprehensive IP regulations and ethical standards as AI becomes more integrated into various sectors. Local businesses and organizations in Palm Springs Coachella can learn from this fight by proactively developing frameworks that protect all stakeholders while leveraging AI's potential benefits. By following these principles, businesses can avoid potential conflicts and foster an environment where AI can be used responsibly and beneficially for all parties involved.

🤔 Thinking Out Loud

In my satirical view, the SAG-AFTRA strike isn't just a labor dispute—it's a wake-up call for every industry dabbling in AI. It's high time businesses everywhere realize that AI without proper rules is like playing with fire. Our own local business landscape isn't far behind in getting burned. Employees are experimenting (which is great), but using these AI tools without proper guidelines they may be putting employers, including mom-and-pop shops, at serious risk. Unauthorized AI use could lead to significant legal troubles, while just a few simple agreements in place could act as a crucial firewall against litigation. Training is no longer optional—it's essential. If our desert businesses don't get ahead of this, we're inviting a world of legal pain. Let's be proactive, not reactive, let's get our local AI ethics and regulations sorted before we find ourselves in a sci-fi legal thriller.

💍 Get Engaged

Is an AI Coworking Space in our future? 🤔 Well, if you’ve got the space, gear, or drive, let’s talk! Are you experimenting with ChatGPT or Claude or Gemini or Copilot or MidJourney? Let’s talk! How are you using AI in your business or personal life? Let’s talk!

And finally, if you need assistance in integrating AI into your workflow, marketing, or general brand strategy - Let’s Talk!

Stay tuned to Sunshine.fm for more stories, takes, observations, learnings and the latest AI news and updates. And remember, human creativity is irreplaceable—even if a robot tells you otherwise! 🧐