Image caption, Performers are concerned that generative AI could be used to recreate their voice and appearance Article information Author, João da Silva Role, Business Reporter 26 July 2024, 05:01 BST
Updated July 26, 2024 05:44 BST
Major video game makers including Activision, Warner Bros. and Walt Disney are facing a strike by Hollywood actors over their use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This follows a year and a half of negotiations over a new contract between the two companies and the union representing more than 2,500 video game performers.
While the two sides say they have agreed on several key issues, such as wages and job security, protections for the use of AI technology remain a major stumbling block.
Performers worry that game studios will use generative AI to recreate their voices and appearances to animate video game characters without paying them fairly.
“Despite reaching an agreement on many issues, the employer refuses to explicitly affirm in clear and enforceable language that the AI language will protect all performers covered by this contract,” Sag Aftra said in a statement.
“We will not agree to any contract that allows companies to misuse AI to the detriment of our members,” it added.
But video game studios say they have already made sufficient concessions to the union’s demands.
“We’re disappointed that we were so close to an agreement and the union chose to walk away,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokeswoman for 10 video game makers in negotiations with SAG-AFTRA.
“Our proposal directly responds to SAG AFT’s concerns and would expand meaningful AI protections, including requiring consent and fair compensation for all performers working under the Act. [Interactive Media Agreement],” she added.
The interactive media deal covers artists providing voiceover services and on-camera work used to create video game characters.
The previous agreement, which offered no AI protections, was due to expire in November 2022 but was being extended by one month at a time while negotiations continued.
The 118-day shutdown was the longest in the union’s 90-year history.
Combined with a separate writers strike, these actions caused severe disruption to film and television production, costing California’s economy more than $6.5 billion, according to entertainment trade magazine Deadline.
