The Cautionary Tale of Shakespeare’s Presidential Candidacy

or why we need meaningful frameworks around AI

Is William Shakespeare running for President? No. But did I ask a machine to show me that and did it show me in less than 1 minute and 52 seconds? Yes. It even included the whole scene and a moving camera.

And I did it from my phone. My phone.

“Actors” and whole scenes being a short text prompt away is not some abstract future, it is now. And when an entire film or TV show doesn’t have a physical set, where are the actors (SAG-AFTRA), the crew (IATSE), the directors and similar staff (DGA), drivers (Teamsters)? There are none.

And if you add ChatGPT or another large language model (LLM), where are the writers (WGA)? There are none.

Five people using more than a phone can make a movie or TV show. As good as the ones made by the hundreds who made the ones you love? No. But they will still be made.

And without meaningful guidelines even the producing companies will be ruined (if William Shakespeare could sue for defamation claiming he’d ever break US law [and a few laws of time and space] by running for president [disclosure: I’m writing a screenplay called “Billy Shakes Is Out for Royalties” which influenced my choice of prompt for this video]).

We, everyone, needs real, meaningful guidelines around AI. The contracts of the unions must include these: firm, clear, binding, predictable frameworks for everyone to know what happens when these technologies are used. From consent and compensation to road safety, every industry, not just entertainment, needs meaningful frameworks around AI.

© Copyright July 3, 2023, David August, all rights reserved davidaugust.com

David August is an award-winning actor, acting coach, writer, director, and producer. He plays a role in the movie Dependent’s Day, and after its theatrical run, it’s now out on Amazon. He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, on the TV show Ghost Town, and many others. His artwork has been used by multiple writers, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, and others to express visually. Off-screen, he has worked at ad agencies, start-ups, production companies, and major studios, helping them tell stories their customers and clients adore. He has guest lectured at USC’s Marshall School of Business about the Internet.