The Rise of Thinking Machines: What Performers Need to Know

 

At the October meeting of Equity's East Midlands Branch the speaker, the first “Branch Talks with…Industrial Officials” guest was Liam Budd.

The use of Artificial Intelligence across the audio and entertainment industry is on the rise. At the recent Equity East Midlands branch meeting, Liam from Equity's recorded media department gave an eye-opening presentation about artificial intelligence and its impacts on the entertainment world.

Liam is a strong advocate for the protection of performers from unregulated technology. In June 2023, he called on the government to “step in with robust measures to properly regulate the use of AI in the entertainment industry”.

AI, Liam clarified refers to "thinking" machines that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence and creativity. While the technology presents opportunities, legitimate concerns exist around job displacement, infringement of rights, and ethical implications.

As highlighted in Liam's talk, AI is already being used to clone the voices, images, and performances of individuals - sometimes without consent. Harmful deep fakes represent one troubling application, with women frequently victimised.

Liam explained Equity's efforts to empower members through initiatives like the "Stop AI Stealing the Show" campaign and a comprehensive AI toolkit. The union aims to strengthen performer rights and incorporate ethical AI clauses into collective bargaining agreements.

Key principles include centring human creativity, requiring consent, giving artists control over digital likenesses, ensuring fair compensation, and promoting transparency.

As AI capacities rapidly advance, we face a critical window of opportunity. Performers must educate themselves on the issues and possibilities surrounding thinking machines. Groups like Equity are advocating for ethical frameworks, but success hinges on members proactively exercising their rights.

The future remains unwritten. But by banding together and insisting technology serves creators - not replace them - we can author a new script. Our art forms depend on the infusion of humanity. As Equity's toolkit states, progress cannot lower the curtain on live performance.

Write up by Caron Lyon (assisted by Claude.AI)

RESOURCES

“Guidance on Artificial Intelligence work for artists” is one of the resources produced by the department. Equity has also compiled an AI Toolkit to help members begin to give context to this new technology and help you understand how to recognise and manage it as it impacts and integrates into our working lives. It will affect everyone differently.

‘Leaving Do’ for AltSpace @39 Whitfield Street

The sun is setting on Cybersalon’s first metaverse presence built in AltSpace. In November 2022 Cybersalon used this VR and Browser-accessed metaverse to augment a virtual attendance option to launch a self published book of short  speculative fiction stories in a book called “22 Ideas about the Future”.

In 1994 the first internet cafe, Cyberia, a new point of presence came into existence after several false starts so a Guardian article from Sept 1994 reflects. (see article right)  article link

In July 2022 a project began to take the legacy and reminiscence storytelling of Cyberia to a new dimension, the metaverse, with its Cybersalon present day maverick, tech savvy community. AltSpace @39 Whitfield Street was conceived. Other platforms were considered but in the autumn of 2022 Microsoft’s VR metaverse AltSpace offered the most comprehensive facilities for hosting events.

The intention was always to make 39 Whitfield Street a multi-presence metaverse experience. Establishing the AltSpace presence was the first toe in the water. This farewell soiree begins in AltSpace and will retire for a first look and conversation in it's 22 Ideas Lounge in metaverse platform Spatial.

39 Whitfield Street in AltSpace is a faithful reconstruction of Cybersalons first bricks and mortar Cyber Cafe “Cyberia” which opened at 39 Whitfield Street in Central London in 1994. Cybersalong hosted 3 events in AltSpace before the announcement came on Jan 10th 2023 that the platform would sunset on March 10th. So before our fun starts it is to come to an end, in AltSpace at least. https://altvr.com/sunset/

Join us for a farewell to 39 Whitfield Street in AltSpace. Bring your 39 Whitfield Street Cyberia recollections. Last chance to don a Paper Hat and visit Hallidonto’s exhibited works. Join Eva and a few choice guest speakers for this end of the world soiree!

This is not the end! 

Thursday 9th March 

7pm - 9pm

Event Programme / timeline

18.30 - Zoom opens  (Audience Zoom link - On Request)

18.45 - AltSpace event destination opens - Destination Code - TXA241

19.10 - Welcome

19.05 - Soiree

20.00 - Chill out and Chat (AltSpace)

20.30 - Thank you and Farewell Altspace

20.30 - Spatial 22 Ideas Immersive Lounge opens

22.00 - Cybersalon Event Ends

Blue Stocking Society pitch collaboration with ChatGTP

My pitch delivered to the ladies at Blue Stockings Society on Monday 23rd Jan. Following this is the text I collaboratively through prompts generated by ChatGTP.

We came together at Tiger Community Enterprise in Nottingham's Lister Gate. It was about networking to bring a problem or issue we'd like help from fellow entrepreneurs. There was a opportunity to vote on who you think should win the £600 accumulated fund and network with other amazing women. I took SafetyCurtain as I presented my first ever pitch to fundraise. My pitch written with the help of ChatGTP3.

The winner was Fatou from Guinea (photo bottom right) who told us about the experience of pregnant women in her home country and her own sisters death while trying to give birth. Fatou’s friend has just trained as a midwife and is setting up a voluntary birthing hut so that women can access free support and midwifery and hopes to reduce mortality rates in their home town. The £600 will buy sterilising equipment, beds and packs given to the women after birth.

photo credit - Blue Stockings Society

Ladies, I am excited to introduce you all to SafetyCurtain, an international charitable trust that I have been a trustee of since 2019. SafetyCurtain is dedicated to providing small grants, usually less than $1,200 (around £970), to struggling actors outside of the UK. Our small grants help with essential living costs and personal medical bills to assist those living in war zones, extreme poverty or exposed to political conflict.

SafetyCurtain stands side by side with performers in the toughest places in the world.

Are you starting the year slightly unravelled?

MyWord 2023 - Balance

If you are starting the year slightly unravelled well you are not alone. Resolutions are ill advised but selecting a word to live by through out the next 365 days has been a foundation for me for a few years now.

This year after much thought I am needing to go with ‘Balance’.

On Jan 1st I reached 11.15am before my first wave of anxiety passed over me. This years word and it’s application to my life ‘Balance’ has many meditations before it.

I have plans for 2023. There is uncharted territory. There is perspective to recognise and secure. ToDo lists to compile and close. Balance to be pursued in my work and my life. Balance in how long I spend on tasks and assign to projects. I currently struggle with balance.

Tread lightly in January. Listen to your head and heart. I am resilient yet fragile. Delicate yet resolute. #MyWord for 2023 is Balance. What is yours?

It needs no explaining. One word. No requirement to copy paste and share but you are free to do so. My image was created using Canva perhaps you would like to make a #MyWord image for yourself. Print it as a card for you wallet or purse. Use it as your desktop wallpaper.

Previous words I have lived with… Boundaries (2020), Mindfulness (2021), Posture (2022).

I spent December in ‘overwhelmed on a rollercoaster’ mode!

Welcome to 2023… on my terms with a new resolve.

See you around.