Hollywood actors have finally reached a (tentative) deal with studios, bringing an end to a months-old strike. One of the disagreements was on the use of AI: Under the new deal, producers will be required to get consent and compensate actors for the creation and use of digital replicas of actors, whether created on set or licensed for use. 

The film and television industry faced significant disruptions due to a strike that began in May. The underlying rationale was this: While it's impossible to halt the progress of AI, actors and writers could fight for more equitable compensation and fairer terms. Hollywood's film and television writers reached an agreement in October, but negotiations between studios and actors were at an impasse until last week's deal.

Whydoes it matter?

First, it's a prime example of how AI has been disrupting creative industries and drawing concerns from actors and writers, despite earlier scepticism. Second, as The Economist thinks, AI could make a handful of actors omnipresent, and hence, eventually boring for audiences. But we think fans just want a good storyline, regardless of whether the well-loved artist is merely a product of AI.