Jobs, No More?
Ashton Kutcher's Deal with Sam Altman to Promote Sora, Downplaying Workforce Impact
BREAKING NEWS
The post above was removed from the Instagram account @evolving.ai, which I had shared a screenshot of on my personal Instagram account (see below). There is a potential risk of bribery involved, as the backlash against Ashton Kutcher has been unfolding. The comments, which Ashton’s PR firm wanted to be removed, were from an account followed by 1.7 million followers.
The instagram account evolving.ai if being followed by 1.7 million users.
I reached out to the team at evolving.ai but have yet to hear back from them for a statement.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I was wondering why the post about Ashton Kutcher’s comment about Sora being “amazing” was removed from your account. Thank you for letting me know. Kevin Bihan-Poudec | Advocate for Ethical AI and Job Preservation
Notice that I received no replies, even though my messages were marked as "read." This is evident as there are no notifications at the bottom of the screen indicating that I'm waiting for an "invite" to be approved.
Personal Responses
What is “Sora” and what can it do?
Via a single prompt on software that could cost just a few dollars, Sora is able to generate AI content from keywords, as seen above. The following prompt rendered this result:
Prompt: A movie trailer featuring the adventures of a 30-year-old spaceman wearing a red wool knitted motorcycle helmet, blue sky, salt desert, cinematic style, shot on 35mm film, vivid colors.
Cinematography Facing Extinction Due to “Sora” Data Analytics Predictions
According to Statista.com, 441.7 thousand people were working in the motion picture and sound recording industries in the United States as of January 2024.
This amount of half a million workers represent skilled people who have made a career working in that industry for sometimes decades. With the unchecked release of technologies such as Sora, which was announced to be released to the public by OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, this year, that industry is facing dramatic shifts in the short and long term.
It is evident that if a technology is available to anyone that has the potential to create AI-generated content for a fraction of the cost it takes to make a blockbuster movie, which sometimes averages up to $150,000,000, workers could face unprecedented job displacement due to the demand for their work no longer being needed, as it is not cost-efficient compared to a tool that would make the creation of these movies possible for $20/month.
Here is a non-exhaustive list highlighting the diverse individuals who bring their talents and dedication to the cinematography and movie industry, all of whom could face job displacement:
Pre-Production
Producers
Executive Producers
Directors
Screenwriters (Often freelance)
Casting Directors
Production Designers
Art Directors
Storyboard Artists (Often freelance)
Location Managers
Costume Designers
Makeup Artists (Often freelance)
Special Effects Coordinators
Cinematographers/Directors of Photography
Production Managers
Assistant Directors (ADs)
Script Supervisors
Prop Masters
Set Designers
Set Decorators
Production
Camera Operators (Often freelance)
Gaffers
Best Boys Electric
Key Grips
Best Boys Grip
Grips
Dolly Grips
Sound Mixers (Often freelance)
Boom Operators (Often freelance)
Production Assistants (PAs)
Stunt Coordinators
Stunt Performers
Animal Wranglers
Choreographers (Often freelance)
Post-Production
Editors (Often freelance)
Assistant Editors (Often freelance)
Visual Effects Artists (Often freelance)
Sound Designers (Often freelance)
Foley Artists
Composers (Often freelance)
Music Supervisors (Often freelance)
Colorists (Often freelance)
ADR Mixers
Subtitle Writers
Post-Production Supervisors
Freelancers and Independent Roles
Freelance Videographers:
Shoot video content for various projects.
Freelance Video Editors:
Edit video content for films, advertisements, and social media.
Freelance Graphic Designers:
Create graphics for film marketing and social media.
Freelance Animators:
Produce animated sequences for films and advertisements.
Freelance Writers/Content Creators:
Write scripts, marketing materials, and social media content.
Freelance Social Media Managers:
Manage and create content for social media platforms.
Freelance Photographers:
Take behind-the-scenes photos and promotional images.
Freelance Drone Operators:
Capture aerial footage for films and commercials.
Freelance Sound Technicians:
Provide sound recording and mixing services.
Freelance Makeup Artists:
Provide makeup services for actors and models.
Freelance Costume Designers:
Design and create costumes for productions.
Freelance Prop Makers:
Craft props for films and commercials.
Freelance Marketing Consultants:
Advise on marketing strategies for films and social media.
Freelance PR Specialists:
Manage public relations for film releases and events.
Freelance Event Planners:
Organize film premieres and promotional events.
Freelance Web Designers:
Create websites for films and filmmakers.
Social Media Content Creators
YouTubers/Vloggers:
Create video content for YouTube.
TikTok Creators:
Produce short-form video content for TikTok.
Instagram Influencers:
Create and share visual content on Instagram.
Podcasters:
Produce audio and video podcasts related to film.
Live Streamers:
Stream live content related to film production or reviews on platforms like Twitch.
Freelance Content Strategists:
Develop content strategies for social media and online presence.
Freelance SEO Specialists:
Optimize online content for search engines.
It is important to note that these figures, which involve half a million workers in the cinematography industry, do not account for other fields that extensively use video content creation, including, but not limited to:
Advertising and Marketing
Digital Marketing Agencies
Creative Directors
Video Producers
Scriptwriters
Video Editors
Motion Graphics Designers
Social Media Managers
Marketing Strategists
Social Media Marketing
Content Creators
Videographers
Influencers
Social Media Analysts
Community Managers
Influencer Marketing
Influencers
Brand Managers
Video Editors
Content Strategists
Corporate Advertising
Corporate Videographers
Editors
Animation Artists
Marketing Consultants
Entertainment and Media
Film Production
Directors
Producers
Cinematographers
Screenwriters
Set Designers
Costume Designers
Makeup Artists
Television Broadcasting
Producers
Directors
Camera Operators
Editors
Sound Technicians
Broadcast Engineers
Streaming Services
Content Acquisition Managers
Video Editors
Data Analysts
Content Creators
Music Videos
Directors
Producers
Choreographers
Cinematographers
Video Editors
Education and E-Learning
Online Course Providers
Instructional Designers
Video Lecturers
Animation Specialists
Content Developers
Educational Institutions
Educational Technologists
Multimedia Specialists
Video Producers
Instructional Coordinators
Corporate Training Programs
Training Specialists
Video Producers
Scriptwriters
Animators
Educational YouTube Channels
Content Creators
Scriptwriters
Video Editors
Social Media Managers
Corporate and Internal Communications
Corporate Training Videos
Training Coordinators
Videographers
Video Editors
Animation Designers
Company Announcements
Corporate Communicators
Video Producers
Editors
Internal Communications
HR Communication Specialists
Videographers
Editors
Corporate Events and Conferences
Event Planners
Videographers
Live Stream Technicians
Freelance and Independent Creators
Independent Filmmakers
Directors
Producers
Cinematographers
Editors
YouTubers and Vloggers
Content Creators
Video Editors
Graphic Designers
Social Media Managers
Freelance Videographers
Videographers
Video Editors
Sound Technicians
Content Creators on Platforms like Patreon
Content Creators
Video Editors
Marketing Strategists
News and Journalism
Broadcast News Stations
News Producers
Reporters
Camera Operators
Editors
Online News Platforms
Digital Journalists
Video Editors
Social Media Managers
Investigative Journalism
Investigative Reporters
Video Producers
Editors
Citizen Journalism
Freelance Reporters
Video Bloggers
Content Curators
Healthcare
Medical Training Videos
Medical Educators
Videographers
Editors
Patient Education
Health Communicators
Video Producers
Animators
Telemedicine Consultations
Telehealth Coordinators
Video Technicians
IT Support
Health Campaigns
Public Health Educators
Videographers
Social Media Strategists
Real Estate
Property Tours
Real Estate Videographers
Video Editors
Drone Operators
Promotional Videos for Listings
Real Estate Agents
Videographers
Video Editors
Virtual Reality Property Showcases
VR Developers
Video Producers
3D Modelers
Travel and Tourism
Travel Vlogs
Travel Vloggers
Videographers
Video Editors
Promotional Videos for Travel Agencies
Travel Marketers
Videographers
Editors
Virtual Tours
Virtual Tour Developers
Videographers
Editors
Destination Marketing
Destination Marketers
Content Creators
Social Media Managers
Gaming
Game Trailers
Game Developers
Video Editors
Animators
Gameplay Videos
Content Creators
Videographers
Editors
eSports Coverage
eSports Producers
Commentators
Camera Operators
Streaming on Platforms like Twitch
Streamers
Video Editors
Community Managers
Non-Profit and Advocacy
Campaign Videos
Campaign Managers
Video Producers
Editors
Awareness and Fundraising Videos
Fundraising Coordinators
Videographers
Editors
Educational and Informative Content
Content Developers
Videographers
Animators
Fashion and Beauty
Fashion Shows and Runway Videos
Fashion Videographers
Editors
Directors
Beauty Tutorials
Beauty Influencers
Videographers
Video Editors
Promotional Content for Brands
Brand Marketers
Content Creators
Video Editors
Technology
Product Launch Videos
Product Managers
Videographers
Editors
Tech Reviews and Tutorials
Tech Influencers
Videographers
Video Editors
Explainer Videos
Technical Writers
Animators
Video Producers
Automotive
Car Reviews
Auto Reviewers
Videographers
Editors
Promotional Content for Dealerships
Marketing Managers
Videographers
Editors
Test Drive Videos
Test Drivers
Videographers
Editors
Retail and E-Commerce
Product Demos
Product Demonstrators
Videographers
Editors
Unboxing Videos
Influencers
Videographers
Editors
Promotional Campaigns
Marketing Strategists
Videographers
Editors
Event Planning and Management
Event Coverage
Event Videographers
Editors
Live Stream Technicians
Promotional Videos for Upcoming Events
Event Marketers
Videographers
Editors
Highlight Reels
Videographers
Editors
Animators
Sports
Game Highlights
Sports Videographers
Editors
Commentators
Athlete Profiles
Sports Journalists
Videographers
Editors
Sports News
Sports Reporters
Videographers
Editors
Hospitality
Hotel and Resort Tours
Hospitality Marketers
Videographers
Editors
Promotional Content for Restaurants
Restaurant Marketers
Videographers
Editors
Event Venue Showcases
Venue Managers
Videographers
Editors
Art and Culture
Virtual Museum Tours
Museum Curators
Videographers
Editors
Art Exhibitions
Exhibition Curators
Videographers
Editors
Cultural Events
Event Planners
Videographers
Editors
Finance
Financial Education Videos
Financial Educators
Videographers
Editors
Promotional Content for Financial Services
Financial Marketers
Videographers
Editors
Market Analysis Videos
Financial Analysts
Videographers
Editors
Government and Public Sector
Public Service Announcements
Government Communicators
Videographers
Editors
Educational Campaigns
Public Educators
Videographers
Editors
Government Updates and Addresses
Government Officials
Videographers
Editors
Kevin: Could you please provide an estimated figure, based on online research, for the total number of American workers represented by all the roles mentioned in this conversation?
ChatGPT: (public original chat available here)
The American film and television industry supports approximately 2.74 million jobs, encompassing a wide range of roles from special effects technicians and makeup artists to writers and set builders. This vast workforce contributes to over $242 billion in total wages annually, according to the Motion Picture Association (Motion Pictures). This number includes workers involved in film and video production, as well as post-production and distribution (Anything Research).
Given that the cinematography industry alone employs around half a million workers, the broader scope of video content creation extends into numerous other fields. These include advertising, marketing, education, corporate communications, healthcare, real estate, travel and tourism, gaming, non-profit and advocacy, fashion and beauty, technology, automotive, retail and e-commerce, event planning and management, sports, hospitality, art and culture, finance, and the government and public sector. Each of these industries employs a variety of roles, such as videographers, editors, content creators, social media managers, marketing strategists, and more.
These figures highlight the significant impact of video content creation across multiple sectors, showcasing the importance and widespread reliance on these roles in the modern economy.
The figures above of 2.7 million jobs is the number of American workers that could face “extreme disruption” or, as the Chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva stated, 40% of global jobs could be “affected” or “ impacted in some shape or form” by AI and automation.
She expects advanced economies to be more affected than emerging markets and developing economies.
An article from CNN did its own translation by publishing a bold but true statement mentioning that “jobs may disappear.”
Jobs may “disappear”: Nearly 40% of global unemployment could be disrupted by AI, IMF says.
IMF’s Chief, predicts that AI to “impact” 60% of advanced economy jobs, such as in the United States.
Most recently, she stated that “AI will hit the labor market like a “Tsunami” and that “We have very little time to get people ready for it”
Conclusion:
This trend of jobs being replaced by AI and automation, coupled with the slower creation of new jobs in AI and machine learning, will likely cause significant economic strain. This will place additional pressure on government agencies, such as unemployment services, and systems like healthcare.
Given the critical role that video content creation plays across multiple industries, supporting millions of jobs and contributing significantly to the economy, it is imperative that various stakeholders take IMMEDIATE and coordinated action to mitigate the potential CATASTROPHIC job displacement due to emerging AI technologies.
Call to Action:
Government and Policy Makers:
Regulate AI Development: Establish regulations that ensure ethical AI development and implementation, focusing on preserving jobs and maintaining fair labor practices.
Invest in Workforce Development: Allocate funding for reskilling and upskilling programs to help workers transition to new roles created by AI advancements.
Create Safety Nets: Enhance social safety nets such as unemployment benefits and job placement services to support displaced workers.
Industry Leaders and Businesses:
Adopt Ethical AI Practices: Commit to ethical AI practices that prioritize the augmentation of human jobs rather than their replacement.
Collaborate with Educational Institutions: Partner with universities and vocational schools to design curricula that prepare students for future job markets, including roles in AI and advanced technologies.
Support Employee Transition: Develop internal programs to retrain employees for new positions within the company, ensuring a smooth transition as AI technologies are integrated.
Educational Institutions:
Revise Curricula: Update curricula to include AI literacy and skills training, ensuring students are equipped for future job markets.
Promote Lifelong Learning: Encourage lifelong learning initiatives that allow individuals to continuously update their skills in response to technological advancements.
Tech Developers and AI Researchers:
Focus on Augmentation: Develop AI technologies that augment human capabilities rather than replace them, ensuring that technology serves as a tool to enhance human productivity.
Transparency and Collaboration: Work transparently and collaboratively with other industries to understand the potential impacts of AI and develop solutions that benefit the broader workforce.
Workers and Job Seekers:
Engage in Continuous Learning: Take advantage of available training and reskilling programs to stay competitive in the evolving job market.
Advocate for Ethical Practices: Join or support movements advocating for ethical AI practices and fair labor policies.
Public Advocacy Groups and Unions:
Raise Awareness: Conduct campaigns to raise public awareness about the impacts of AI on employment and advocate for responsible AI implementation.
Lobby for Legislation: Lobby for legislation that protects workers' rights and promotes fair employment practices in the face of AI advancements.
By taking these steps, we can ensure that the integration of AI technologies into various industries is managed in a way that protects jobs, supports workers, and promotes a fair and prosperous economy for all. It is a collective effort that requires the active participation and cooperation of government, industry, education, technology developers, workers, and advocacy groups.
#DemandEthicalAI #VoiceForChange
FULL 360
In the 2013 movie "Jobs," Ashton Kutcher stars as Steve Jobs, with Kevin Bihan-Poudec, founder of the Voice For Change Foundation, appearing as an extra.
