The Imperative of Regulatory Frameworks for AI Video Generators: An Urgent Appeal to Congressman Ralph Norman and President Joe Biden

Written By Kevin Bihan-Poudec

Create an image of Kevin working on a business plan (aimed at Congressman Ralph Norman) leveraging ChatGPT to regulate AI and safeguard the American workforce in the face of unprecedented technological advancements.

As I prepare my response to the office of Congressman Ralph Norman regarding the potential release of groundbreaking tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo, I'm acutely aware of the profound implications these technologies hold for our workforce.

@kevinbihanpoudec This text-to-video tool, Sora, is facing immediate realese to the public as announced by its creator Sam Altman and is about to change everything! With 2,740,000 workers in the video content industry—from cinematography to advertising—the imminent release of Sora could spell disaster. Imagine creating motion pictures that look like $150,000 films for a fraction of the cost, employing roles like directors, editors, and set designers. Studios and streaming services, often spending up to a quarter billion dollars on movies, will no longer find it cost-effective. Sora's expected cost? Around $20/hour. This shift could devastate the cinematography industry, responsible for $242 billion in total wages annually. It's not just the economy at risk; it's the livelihoods and creativity of countless workers. We need government action NOW to prevent reaching a point of no return. Act before it's too late! #demandethicalai #ethicalai #savejobs #voiceforchange @Jen Garner #fypage #foryou #foryoupage #viral #trending #tiktok #explore #explorepage #tech #techtok #technology #artificialintelligence #ai #samaltman, Ashton Kutcher #stopsora ♬ original sound - Kevin Bihan-Poudec AI Advocate

These next-gen AI video generators represent a leap forward in artificial intelligence capabilities, promising unprecedented efficiency and creativity in the cinematography sector. However, this technological marvel comes with a sobering potential downside: the displacement of millions of jobs.

The numbers are staggering. If tools like Sora (OpenAI) and Veo (Google’s version) are released to the public without any regulatory oversight, it could result in the eradication of approximately 2,740,000 jobs in the cinematography industry and related fields (research here). This projection underscores an urgent need for action by the U.S. government.

The timing is critical, and the stakes are high. If we cannot stop the rapid deployment of these tools by tech CEOs, we must ensure that President Joe Biden is made aware of the imminent risks and the necessity of implementing regulatory frameworks immediately.

The advent of AI video generation tools brings a new dimension to the discussion of automation and job displacement. Unlike previous waves of automation, such as during the automotive industrialization over a span of 10 to 15 years, which primarily affected repetitive manual tasks, these AI tools, now released on a weekly basis, target creative and highly skilled professions. The ripple effects could extend beyond cinematography, impacting screenwriters, editors, visual effects artists, and many others who contribute to the vibrant ecosystem of film and media production.

Ashton Kutcher:

I don't think AI will replace the film industry or creative arts. It's an amazing tool that we should learn to work with to become more prolific and efficient as artist. In the same way we use Avid, final draft, greenscreen, Led bg and other technical tools. Acting like it doesn't exist will be catastrophic.

GuardianOfAI:

You know what will be catastrophic, @aplusk? It’s not having regulations in place regarding how much this technology can be used by the big studios. My recent analysis reports that this could impact up to 2,745,000 jobs. What’s your take on that? A couple million other people and I are waiting for answers. Learn more

GuardiansOfAI:

@aplusk, as a public figure in the cinematography industry, will you apologize to the half million workers potentially affected by #Sora, a tool you promoted? Its impact on the workforce could be devastating. #VoiceForChange#EthicalAI#DemandEthicalAI

More here about the removal of Ashton Kutcher's public comments promoting Sora as being "amazing" by an instagram account followed by 1.7 million followers.

The Case for Regulation

To mediate the risks of abuse and mitigate massive job displacement, it is imperative to establish a robust regulatory framework governing the use of these technologies by big studios and streaming platform services. Here are several key components that such a framework should include:

  1. Usage Limits: Establish clear guidelines on how extensively AI video generators can be used in production processes. This could involve setting caps on the percentage of a project that can be AI-generated versus human-created content.

  2. Job Protection Policies: Mandate that studios and streaming services maintain a certain percentage of human employees in key creative roles. This would help ensure that the benefits of AI do not come at the expense of human livelihoods.

  3. Transparency Requirements: Implement regulations that require full transparency from companies using AI video generators. This includes disclosing when and how AI tools are being used in productions, allowing for greater accountability and public awareness.

  4. Retraining Programs: Encourage or mandate investments in retraining programs for workers displaced by AI technologies. By equipping the current workforce with new skills, we can help them transition to roles that AI cannot easily replicate.

  5. Ethical Standards: Develop ethical guidelines for the creation and use of AI-generated content. This would address concerns about the authenticity, originality, and potential misuse of AI in creative fields.

A Call to Action

The potential release of AI tools like Sora and Veo necessitates immediate and decisive action. We cannot afford to wait until the effects are already being felt across the industry. By proactively establishing regulatory frameworks, we can harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding jobs and preserving the integrity of our creative industries.

I urge Congressman Ralph Norman and his colleagues to prioritize this issue and work towards creating a legislative environment that balances innovation with responsibility. Furthermore, I call on President Joe Biden to recognize the urgency of this matter and take swift action to prevent widespread job displacement.

The future of our workforce and the health of our creative sectors depend on the steps we take today. Let us not allow the promise of technological advancement to overshadow the needs and rights of the people who have built these industries. By acting now, we can ensure that AI serves as a tool for enhancement rather than a harbinger of unemployment.

#DemandEthicalAI #VoiceForChange

Kevin Bihan-Poudec
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