Entertainment Workers Turn to AI Training as Hollywood Jobs Shrink

Hollywood’s shrinking job market has pushed many industry professionals into a new niche: training artificial‑intelligence models. In the past year, the number of AI‑related job postings that require expertise in the arts has risen from 5 % to 11 % of all AI openings, according to data from Indeed. The trend reflects a broader shift in the entertainment sector, where traditional roles in film, television, and voice‑over work are becoming harder to secure.

AI training tasks involve evaluating a model’s output. Workers may score how convincingly a character laughs or judge whether dialogue feels natural. The work offers a way for creatives to earn income while gaining insight into the technology that could eventually replace some of their own jobs.

Former HBO development executive Steven Woolworth said he accepted an AI training assignment after more than a year of job searching. He described the role as a “stopgap” that helped him pay the bills while he waited for a new entertainment opportunity. Woolworth’s experience illustrates the practical appeal of these gigs for those who have lost traditional work.

The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) conducted a survey of its members in 2025. The survey found that 20 % of respondents had knowingly lost work because AI was used in place of human voice talent. Tim Friedlander, NAVA’s president, expressed concern that while AI training can provide a paycheck, it may also reduce long‑term employment for voice actors. Friedlander noted that a single $1,200 payment for a four‑hour training session could be the only work a voice actor receives in that role.

Industry observers point to the rapid expansion of generative AI tools—such as large language models and text‑to‑image systems—as a key driver of the trend. These models are trained on vast amounts of data, including copyrighted works, and are increasingly used to generate scripts, dialogue, and visual content. As AI companies seek experts from across the arts to refine model outputs, the demand for training roles has grown.

The shift has implications beyond individual workers. If a significant portion of creative labor moves into AI training, the entertainment sector could see a consolidation of talent and a shift in skill requirements. Companies that rely on AI for content creation may reduce their need for traditional writers, actors, and voice artists, potentially reshaping the industry’s labor market.

At present, AI training positions are available on a variety of platforms, and the pay range reported by some job boards spans from $15 to over $100 per hour. However, the exact compensation varies widely and is not uniformly reported across the industry. Workers who take on these roles often do so out of necessity rather than preference.

The trend is likely to continue as long as traditional entertainment jobs remain scarce. For many, AI training offers a temporary solution that also contributes to the development of the technology that will shape their future careers. The industry will need to monitor how this shift affects employment patterns and whether new regulations or labor protections are required to safeguard creative talent.

In summary, the entertainment sector’s contraction has led a growing number of professionals—particularly voice actors and development executives—to accept AI training roles. While these positions provide immediate income and industry insight, they also raise concerns about long‑term job security and the evolving nature of creative work in a technology‑driven landscape.