I work in Hollywood. Everyone who used to make TV is now training AI
wired.com
May 11, 2026
24 min read
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50/100
Summary
AI trainers in Hollywood are now focusing on tasks such as assessing chatbot tone, identifying patterns in images, and annotating video content. Professionals from the television industry are shifting their skills to train AI systems for various applications.
Key Takeaways
- The author transitioned from being a Hollywood writer to working as an AI trainer, assessing chatbot responses and annotating various media for AI development.
- In 2023, Hollywood writers went on strike to prevent studios from replacing them with AI, but the industry has not fully recovered since the strike ended.
- The author found AI training jobs through a Writers Guild of America Facebook group, where writers shared opportunities to earn money amid financial struggles.
- The author was hired as a data annotator for $52 an hour after completing extensive application processes and tests to demonstrate their capabilities.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The rise of gig AI training platforms offers new income opportunities for those in creative fields, potentially reshaping traditional career paths in Hollywood.
- The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of content creation, where AI tools can supplement human creativity, leading to innovative applications in storytelling.
Concerns
- The pervasive use of AI in Hollywood is leading to a noticeable decline in quality, as CGI and AI-generated content often lack the human touch that audiences crave.
- The article's anecdotal evidence about AI's impact on the industry raises concerns about the accuracy of claims that 'everyone' is transitioning to AI work, suggesting a more complex reality.
