As the entertainment industry adapts to the rise of generative AI, some Hollywood workers are taking on AI training jobs to make ends meet. With the traditional film and television job market narrowing, these workers are turning to companies like Mercor, which provides domain experts to improve AI models. Mercor's platform connects workers with AI companies that need human feedback to fine-tune their models. Editor Gabe Sena, who has worked on documentaries and videos for nonprofits, started taking on AI training jobs to learn more about the technology and prepare himself for the future. He believes that while some roles may be phased out, workers who are capable and adaptable will be able to maintain their careers. Other entertainment workers, like writer Ruth Fowler and screenwriter Robin Palmer, have also spoken out about their experiences working in AI training. The work involves comparing prompts given to a generative AI system with its outputs and providing feedback on how well the two match up. While some workers are concerned that this type of work could replace jobs in the future, others see it as a way to survive in a rapidly changing industry. According to data from Indeed, job postings related to AI in the arts category have doubled in the past year, from 5% to 11%. However, labor complaints have dogged the field of AI training, with workers describing unstable employment, cutthroat environments, and exposure to traumatizing content. Despite these challenges, some workers see AI training as a necessary step to stay relevant in the industry.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter