Netflix's $900,000 AI Engineer Job Post Sparks Anger Among Actors and Writers
Netflix has posted a job opening for a Senior AI Engineer with a salary of up to $900,000. The position, which is based in Los Gatos, California, will be responsible for developing and deploying AI-powered features for Netflix's streaming service.
The job posting comes at a time when Netflix is facing criticism from actors and writers for its use of AI. The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have both gone on strike, demanding higher pay and protections against the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said in a statement, "Netflix's decision to post a job opening for a $900,000 AI engineer while our members are on strike is tone-deaf and insulting. It shows that Netflix is more interested in lining its pockets than it is in fairly compensating the artists who create its content."
WGA President David Simon said, "Netflix's decision to hire a $900,000 AI engineer is a slap in the face to the writers who have made the company so successful. It's clear that Netflix is not interested in negotiating a fair contract with writers, and we will continue our strike until we get the deal we deserve."
Netflix has defended its use of AI, saying that it is a tool that can be used to improve the experience of its users. The company said in a statement, "We believe that AI has the potential to revolutionize the entertainment industry and make it more accessible to everyone. We are committed to using AI in a responsible way that benefits our users and our creators."
The strike by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA is now in its third week. The two unions are asking for higher pay, better working conditions, and protections against the use of AI in the entertainment industry. Netflix has said that it is willing to negotiate, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement so far.
The job posting for the Senior AI Engineer is a sign that Netflix is serious about its investment in AI. The company is betting that AI can help it to create better content, personalize the user experience, and stay ahead of the competition.