As the entertainment industry continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, the intersection of technology and creativity has never been more prominent. The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas has once again proven to be a hotbed of innovation, with artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage in ways that could revolutionize screenwriting and the broader Hollywood landscape.
The Variety Entertainment Summit: A Glimpse into the Future
The Variety Entertainment Summit, a highlight of CES 2025, brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of entertainment technology. With an expected attendance of 140,000 and a staggering 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, CES 2025 has become the go-to event for those looking to stay ahead of the curve in the entertainment-tech convergence[1].
AI: Friend or Foe to Creativity?
One of the most talked-about panels at the summit was “Succeeding With AI and Entertainment,” moderated by Jay Tucker from UCLA Anderson School of Management. This discussion delved into the dual nature of AI in the entertainment industry – both as a potential existential threat and a transformative tool[1].
For screenwriters, this duality presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, AI’s ability to generate content raises concerns about job security and the uniqueness of human creativity. On the other, AI tools could potentially enhance the writing process, offering assistance with research, character development, and even dialogue generation.
Strategic Integration of AI in Entertainment
Melody Hildebrandt, CTO of Fox, emphasized the importance of studio control over technology platforms and strategic partnerships with AI companies[1]. This perspective is crucial for screenwriters to consider. As AI becomes more integrated into the creative process, writers may need to adapt their skills to work alongside these new tools effectively.
The key takeaway for screenwriters is the need to stay informed and adaptable. Understanding how AI is being implemented in studios and production companies can help writers position themselves as valuable assets in this changing landscape.
The Legal Landscape: AI and Copyright
While the creative possibilities of AI are exciting, the legal implications are complex and far-reaching. The recent settlement between Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI chatbot, and major music publishers highlights the ongoing challenges in this area[2].
The Anthropic Case: A Cautionary Tale
Anthropic faced a lawsuit from music publishers, including Universal Music Group and ABKCO, for allegedly using copyrighted song lyrics to train its AI system without permission or compensation[2]. This case brings to light critical questions about the use of copyrighted material in AI training – questions that could easily extend to screenplays and other written works.
For screenwriters, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting intellectual property in the age of AI. It also raises questions about how AI-generated content might be treated in terms of copyright law in the future.
Guardrails and Fair Use
As part of the settlement, Anthropic agreed to maintain “guardrails” preventing its AI from outputting copyrighted lyrics or creating new lyrics based on copyrighted material[2]. This approach could set a precedent for how AI companies handle copyrighted content in other creative fields, including screenwriting.
The concept of fair use is also at the center of this debate. Anthropic argues that using copyrighted material to train AI models constitutes fair use under existing copyright law[2]. This argument, if accepted, could have far-reaching implications for how AI is developed and used in creative industries.
The Future of Screenwriting in an AI-Driven World
As we look to the future, it’s clear that AI will play an increasingly significant role in the entertainment industry. For screenwriters, this presents both challenges and opportunities.
Collaboration, Not Replacement
The key to thriving in this new landscape may lie in viewing AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. AI could potentially assist with tasks like:
- Generating plot ideas or character backstories
- Analyzing script pacing and structure
- Providing real-time feedback on dialogue authenticity
- Assisting with research for historical or technical details
By embracing these tools, screenwriters can focus more on the uniquely human aspects of storytelling – emotional depth, nuanced character development, and innovative narrative structures.
Adapting to New Platforms
The entertainment summit at CES 2025 also highlighted the importance of engaging audiences across various platforms. Tim Clark, chief brand officer of NASCAR, discussed collaborations with platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Rocket League to reach younger audiences[1].
For screenwriters, this trend underscores the need to think beyond traditional film and television formats. Writing for interactive platforms, virtual reality experiences, or AI-driven personalized content could become increasingly important skills in the coming years.
Ethical Considerations and Industry Standards
As AI becomes more prevalent in the creative process, the industry will need to grapple with ethical considerations and establish new standards. The recent agreements by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) regarding AI use are just the beginning[1].
Screenwriters should stay informed about these developments and consider taking an active role in shaping industry standards. This could involve participating in guild discussions, advocating for fair use of AI tools, and helping to establish best practices for AI integration in the writing process.
Conclusion
The insights from CES 2025 and the recent legal developments in AI copyright cases paint a picture of an industry in flux. For screenwriters, the message is clear: the future of the craft will be shaped by those who can adapt to and harness the power of AI.
By staying informed about technological advancements, understanding the legal landscape, and embracing AI as a collaborative tool, screenwriters can position themselves at the forefront of this revolution. The key will be to maintain the human touch that makes great storytelling resonate while leveraging AI to enhance creativity and efficiency.
As we move forward, the most successful screenwriters will likely be those who can strike a balance between traditional storytelling skills and technological savvy. The AI revolution in Hollywood is not just coming – it’s already here. The question now is: how will you write your role in this new chapter of entertainment history?
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Citations and Sources:
[1] https://www.ces.tech/attend/conference-program/
[2] https://mashable.com/article/ces-2025-highlights
[3] https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-agrees-to-work-with-music-publishers-to-prevent-copyright-infringement-154742806.html
[4] https://variety.com/ces
[5] https://www.livescience.com/technology/exciting-bizarre-incredible-technologies-weve-seen-at-ces-2025
[6] https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/3/24334866/anthropic-claude-music-publishers-lyric-copyright-lawsuit-deal
[7] https://www.ces.tech/speakers/andrew-wallenstein/
[8] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/anthropic-ai-copyright-case-centers-on-guardrails-for-song-lyrics/
[9] https://variety.com/2025/biz/events/will-i-am-shares-passion-for-ai-at-variety-summit-ces-2025-1236270539/
[10] https://dig.watch/updates/anthropic-settles-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-with-major-music-publishers-over-ai-training-practices
[11] https://sincitypress.com/2025/01/09/a-glimpse-into-the-future-day-3-highlights-from-ces-2025/
[12] https://variety.com/2025/biz/entertainment-industry/variety-summit-ces-2025-sony-pictures-ravi-ahuja-1236269951/
[13] https://www.ces.tech/topics/artificial-intelligence/
[14] https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/lg-will-i-am-ces-xboom-1236265777/
[15] https://www.ces.tech/press-releases/dive-in-to-the-future-ces-2025-opens-today/
[16] https://variety.com/2025/biz/entertainment-industry/ces-variety-summit-2025-preview-1236262973/
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX1LK1WU-Jw
[18] https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/evan-spiegel-am-join-variety-185919520.html
[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Electronics_Show
[20] https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2025/01/07/at-ces-2025-digital-hollywood-conference-ai-grabs-the-spotlight/
[21] https://www.maginative.com/article/anthropic-settles-part-of-copyright-lawsuit-over-song-lyrics/
[22] https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402321/anthropic-to-work-with-music-publishers-in-issues.html
[23] https://opentools.ai/news/anthropic-strikes-a-dealmaker-with-music-publishers-over-lyrics-lawsuit
[24] https://routenote.com/blog/anthropic-settles-with-music-publishers-in-ai-copyright-dispute/
[25] https://omdia.tech.informa.com/om128372/music-publishers-and-anthropic-reach-agreement-on-the-use-of-guardrails-in-ai-song-lyrics-copyright-dispute
[26] https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/anthropic-reaches-deal-ai-guardrails-lawsuit-over-music-lyrics-2025-01-03/
[27] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/anthropic-enforce-copyright-guardrails-ai-tools-1236098152/
[28] https://www.thecurrent.com/ad-tech-ai-ces-2025-streaming-retail-media
[29] https://ipwatchdog.com/2024/08/20/anthropic-sued-class-authors-largescale-theft-copyrighted-works/id=180283/
[30] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95768-authors-sue-ai-firm-anthropic-for-copyright-infringement.html
[31] https://apnews.com/article/authors-sue-anthropic-claude-ai-chatbot-chatgpt-copyright-54ae787070bdfc8019ab29b70487c02d
A.I. in Screen Trade 