Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon is urging Hollywood to get on board with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at PaleyFest in Los Angeles, Witherspoon emphasized that AI isn’t a job-stealer, but rather a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed.
“It’s here to stay, so just get used to it,” Witherspoon said. She advised industry professionals to focus on understanding and utilizing AI, rather than fearing it as a replacement. Witherspoon envisions AI as a tool that can amplify creativity when combined with human strengths like ethics and emotional intelligence. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity in this process, ensuring that diverse voices have a role in shaping the development and use of AI in entertainment.
Witherspoon, who co-founded the production company Hello Sunshine, also addressed the recent Hollywood strikes and their impact on the streaming industry. She believes the post-strike era has led streaming services to adopt a more cautious approach, prioritizing profitability over simply producing a constant stream of content. While this might mean a decrease in the total volume of content produced, Witherspoon suggests it could also lead to a focus on higher quality productions.
However, the lack of transparency around viewership data from many streaming services poses a new challenge for actors, according to Witherspoon. Without clear data on how shows are performing, actors struggle to negotiate fair contracts and gauge the success of their projects. Witherspoon specifically mentioned the lack of data transparency on platforms besides Netflix, which can make career planning and marketing difficult for actors.
Also Read: Apple Might Use Google or OpenAI’s AI Tech to Boost Upcoming iPhone
Overall, Reese Witherspoon’s message is one of adaptation and embracing change. Hollywood needs to learn to leverage AI as a tool and adjust to the evolving landscape of streaming services, which may prioritize quality over quantity. Witherspoon also highlights the need for a solution to the data privacy issue plaguing actors in the streaming age.
