Jillian Arnold, the sprawling crew union’s inaugural labor and technology intelligence officer, says she wants to help reskill workers and involve them in the development of AI use in the business.
Why IATSE Hired a Labor and Technology Officer Now Jillian Arnold, former president of Local 695 and chair of the AI subcommittee, was chosen as IATSE’s first labor and technology intelligence officer. Her appointment responds to upcoming negotiations and the need to prepare members for rapid technological changes in the industry, particularly concerning artificial intelligence. The union aims to ensure that its 170,000+ members are equipped to adapt and participate in the development of AI tools. Dual Motivation: Negotiations and Technological Evolution Arnold confirms that her new role is a direct response to both the upcoming negotiations scheduled for next year and the ongoing technical evolutions impacting the entertainment business. Emphasizing IATSE's historical involvement in technical advancements, such as the introduction of sound to film, the union is focused on helping members upskill and re-skill to engage in creating worker-centric AI tools, rather than simply being displaced by them. Initial Priorities in the New Role Arnold's immediate priorities include preparing for next spring's negotiations, developing and rolling out new classes for Local leadership on how to discuss AI with members, and collaborating with the political department on federal and state legislation concerning technology. These initiatives underscore a proactive approach to technology integration and worker protection. Broad-Strokes Mentality on Responsible AI Use Arnold advocates for IATSE members' active involvement in the AI development process, viewing them as entrepreneurs capable of shaping new tools. The union's philosophy is to foster AI that assists rather than harms workers, urging members to understand employer policies and contract provisions, and to engage ethically and critically with AI deployment in their workplaces. Focus on Specific Crafts Exposed to Generative AI IATSE leadership is currently identifying and engaging with specific crafts within the union that are deemed to be on the 'first wave' of exposure to generative AI tools. While Arnold prefers not to publicly name these crafts at this stage, the union is working closely with them to ensure they are integrated into the process and supported through potential changes. Discussing Analog vs. AI Workflows with Employers Regarding new jobs involving AI models, Arnold highlights a 2024 contract provision for 'consultation.' This allows members to discuss with employers whether an 'analog workflow' (physical work) or an AI-assisted workflow is the most economical and effective tool for a particular job, emphasizing the importance of unique, copyrightable solutions and member dialogue in decision-making. Ethical Considerations of AI Models and Training Data Arnold acknowledges the public concern surrounding AI models' training data and ingested work. She states that IATSE is not currently endorsing any specific ethical AI models, indicating the union's cautious stance and ongoing evaluation of the complex ethical implications of AI development and deployment in the creative industries. Upcoming Negotiation Issues It is currently too early to specify the exact issues that will emerge in next year's negotiations regarding AI. IATSE is actively fielding proposals from its members and is in the process of committee work to develop a more refined and comprehensive approach to address these matters at the bargaining table. Excitement for the Role and Labor Movement Jillian Arnold expresses her enthusiasm for her new role, calling IATSE her 'home for 15 years.' She is excited to be part of a labor movement that is leading the way in navigating technological advancements, underscoring her commitment to protecting and empowering union members in the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
Why IATSE Hired a Labor and Technology Officer Now
Jillian Arnold, former president of Local 695 and chair of the AI subcommittee, was chosen as IATSE’s first labor and technology intelligence officer. Her appointment responds to upcoming negotiations and the need to prepare members for rapid technological changes in the industry, particularly concerning artificial intelligence. The union aims to ensure that its 170,000+ members are equipped to adapt and participate in the development of AI tools.
Dual Motivation: Negotiations and Technological Evolution
Arnold confirms that her new role is a direct response to both the upcoming negotiations scheduled for next year and the ongoing technical evolutions impacting the entertainment business. Emphasizing IATSE's historical involvement in technical advancements, such as the introduction of sound to film, the union is focused on helping members upskill and re-skill to engage in creating worker-centric AI tools, rather than simply being displaced by them.
Initial Priorities in the New Role
Arnold's immediate priorities include preparing for next spring's negotiations, developing and rolling out new classes for Local leadership on how to discuss AI with members, and collaborating with the political department on federal and state legislation concerning technology. These initiatives underscore a proactive approach to technology integration and worker protection.
Broad-Strokes Mentality on Responsible AI Use
Arnold advocates for IATSE members' active involvement in the AI development process, viewing them as entrepreneurs capable of shaping new tools. The union's philosophy is to foster AI that assists rather than harms workers, urging members to understand employer policies and contract provisions, and to engage ethically and critically with AI deployment in their workplaces.
Focus on Specific Crafts Exposed to Generative AI
IATSE leadership is currently identifying and engaging with specific crafts within the union that are deemed to be on the 'first wave' of exposure to generative AI tools. While Arnold prefers not to publicly name these crafts at this stage, the union is working closely with them to ensure they are integrated into the process and supported through potential changes.
Discussing Analog vs. AI Workflows with Employers
Regarding new jobs involving AI models, Arnold highlights a 2024 contract provision for 'consultation.' This allows members to discuss with employers whether an 'analog workflow' (physical work) or an AI-assisted workflow is the most economical and effective tool for a particular job, emphasizing the importance of unique, copyrightable solutions and member dialogue in decision-making.
Ethical Considerations of AI Models and Training Data
Arnold acknowledges the public concern surrounding AI models' training data and ingested work. She states that IATSE is not currently endorsing any specific ethical AI models, indicating the union's cautious stance and ongoing evaluation of the complex ethical implications of AI development and deployment in the creative industries.
Upcoming Negotiation Issues
It is currently too early to specify the exact issues that will emerge in next year's negotiations regarding AI. IATSE is actively fielding proposals from its members and is in the process of committee work to develop a more refined and comprehensive approach to address these matters at the bargaining table.
Excitement for the Role and Labor Movement
Jillian Arnold expresses her enthusiasm for her new role, calling IATSE her 'home for 15 years.' She is excited to be part of a labor movement that is leading the way in navigating technological advancements, underscoring her commitment to protecting and empowering union members in the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
