As the entertainment industry grapples with the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, IATSE—the union representing more than 170,000 behind-the-scenes film and television crew members—is taking a proactive stance. The union has officially appointed industry veteran Jillian Arnold to the newly created role of labor and technology intelligence officer. Her primary mandate: ensuring that emerging technologies serve as tools for workers rather than vehicles for their displacement.
Arnold, a former president of IATSE Local 695, brings a wealth of hands-on technical expertise to the position. With a background as a video engineer and cinematographer, she has worked on high-profile projects ranging from NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover mission to the production of the Oscars and the Emmys. Having chaired the union’s AI subcommittee during 2024 contract negotiations, Arnold is now tasked with spearheading the organization’s strategy regarding tech policy, worker reskilling, and upcoming labor negotiations.
Prioritizing Worker-Centric Innovation
The union’s decision to establish this office signals a shift in how labor groups are approaching the silicon-driven evolution of Hollywood. According to Arnold, the goal is not to stop technological progress, but to influence how it is deployed on set.
“We want to make sure that we are a part of the deployment and integration of any AI within our craft so that we make tools that are for workers, not displacing workers,” Arnold noted. She emphasized that IATSE members have historically been instrumental in the development of the tools used in their trades, drawing a parallel to the industry’s adoption of sound technology nearly a century ago. Her department is currently working closely with IATSE’s education wing to equip local leadership with the vocabulary and knowledge needed to discuss AI ethics and implementation with their members.
Navigating the Next Wave of Negotiations
With contract negotiations set to commence next spring, Arnold’s role is critical in helping the union shape its bargaining proposals. While she remained tight-lipped regarding which specific crafts are currently most vulnerable to the “first wave” of AI adoption, she confirmed that the union is actively engaging with those groups to ensure their workflows are protected.
A key element of her strategy involves championing “consultation clauses.” These provisions allow union members to discuss with employers whether generative AI is the appropriate tool for a project, or if a traditional, analog workflow would be more effective and better protected by copyright. By advocating for this dialogue, the union hopes to ensure that technology is chosen for its merit and efficacy rather than simply as a cost-cutting measure that erodes professional standards.
A Unified Tech Strategy
Beyond the studio gates, Arnold is positioning IATSE to be a vocal participant in legislative discussions. Her department is collaborating with the union’s political branch to monitor and influence federal and state regulations surrounding generative AI, copyright, and digital labor protections.
As the industry faces mounting pressure from silicon-based innovations, IATSE is attempting to bridge the gap between technical potential and labor stability. By formalizing this leadership role, the union is signaling that it intends to be a partner in the technological future of cinema, provided that the tools of tomorrow prioritize the creative and professional lives of the people who make movies possible today. For now, the focus remains on training, policy advocacy, and building a foundation that ensures crew members remain an essential part of the production ecosystem, regardless of the tools used in the edit bay or on the soundstage.
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