Jillian Arnold was named IATSE’s first labor and technology intelligence officer on October 23, 2026. The video engineer will guide the union’s response to emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, and its effect on entertainment workers and their crafts. Arnold brings serious union credentials to the new position. She led IATSE Local 695 in 2020 as its first woman and first video engineer president in the local’s 90 year history, then chaired the union’s AI committee during its 2024 negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Why This Role Matters Now IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said Arnold will advise members on public policy and workplace challenges tied to new tools across the United States and Canada. The appointment gives workers a dedicated voice as studios and entertainment companies move quickly to integrate AI into production and business operations. Arnold said technology has shaped her entire career and can expand what entertainment workers are able to accomplish, but workers should have a meaningful role in deciding how those tools enter the workplace. IATSE’s move follows new technology leadership hires at Disney, Ticketmaster, Amazon MGM, and Lionsgate, making Arnold’s appointment another sign that the AI era is now a labor issue, not just a corporate buzzword.