Diego Bollo | December 12, 2024

As the entertainment industry grapples with the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), UCLA Labor Studies provided a platform for a timely conversation. On December 4, labor historian and UCLA labor studies professor Trevor Griffey moderated a roundtable discussion titled “How Should Culture Industry Workers Respond to Artificial Intelligence?” held at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

The event, part of Griffey’s “Labor Studies 101: Introduction to Labor and Social Movements in Los Angeles” guest lecture series, featured two prominent SAG-AFTRA leaders: Zeke Alton, professional actor and volunteer negotiator for TV, film and commercials with SAG-AFTRA, and Sarah Elmaleh, actress and Chair of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee, a bargaining unit of SAG-AFTRA.

The roundtable offered students a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry’s fight against AI exploitation. Griffey facilitated a thought-provoking discussion focused on how new contracts aim to regulate AI, the journey to organize workers and SAG-AFTRA’s broader efforts to push for state and federal legislation on AI oversight. Panelists shared personal stories of their union involvement, emphasizing the critical role of solidarity in confronting AI-related labor challenges.

“We knew that we would be the first industry to be affected by artificial intelligence,” stated Elmaleh, highlighting SAG-AFTRA’s preparation for contract negotiations.

Students engaged directly with the speakers, asking questions about SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing strategy and the next steps in the fight for fair labor practices in the entertainment sector. After the discussion, Griffey reflected on the significance of the panelists’ contributions and their role in shaping the future of labor activism.

“Most of our labor force is not unionized,” Griffey stated. “The struggle you all are engaging as volunteers is really paving the way for us to think about these issues and join in.”

The full recording of this panel discussion is available for viewing below.

UCLA Labor Studies is the first major of its kind at the University of California. Renowned for its commitment to engaged student learning in community worker settings, rigorous hands-on research and courses that explore some of the most pressing labor and social justice issues, the program became a major in 2019 after being established as a minor in 2014.