Industry Reaches Landmark Deal on Artificial Intelligence
After a year-long strike, Hollywood’s video game voice and motion capture actors have reached a historic agreement with major video game studios, prioritizing new safeguards against the misuse of
artificial intelligence technology within the industry[1][5]. Backed by the SAG-AFTRA union, the contract ushers in significant changes for performer rights, pay, and safety.
Key Features of the New Agreement
- Performer Consent: The contract mandates that studios must obtain explicit actor consent before generating AI replicas of their voice, likeness, or motion. This ensures actors remain in control of their digital identities throughout the production process[1].
- Disclosure and Transparency: Studios are now required to fully disclose how AI will be used, providing performers with detailed information before digital replicas are created or deployed[1].
- Pause During Labor Actions: Actors retain the right to suspend or revoke their consent for AI use in the event of labor disputes, protecting their interests during negotiations or strikes[1].
- Improved Safety and Pay: The agreement introduces enhanced safety provisions for motion capture work and offers meaningful pay raises for affected performers[1][5].
Setting Ethical Standards for AI in Entertainment
The contract’s AI protections respond to industry-wide concerns about the potential for unauthorized or unethical replication of performers using advanced technologies like
ChatGPT and other AI voice platforms. Notably, industry figures such as Sarah Elmaleh have stressed the necessity for ethical standards as AI capabilities expand in creative sectors[1].
Legislative Support and Future Implications
Echoing the entertainment industry’s concerns, the agreement is aligned with federal efforts such as the NO FAKES Act, which seeks to legislate against unauthorized digital reproductions of individuals. Support for such legislation is growing in Congress as the impact of synthetic media becomes more widely recognized[1].
Background: AI and the Actor’s Rights Movement
The SAG-AFTRA union has previously established safeguards for voice actors in collaboration with companies like
Replica Studios, providing a foundation for fair and ethical AI use. These agreements offer clear guidelines for employment and revenue opportunities, all while ensuring performer control over their digital representations[2].
- Previously, performers were vulnerable to unauthorized use of their voice and likeness.
- New contracts require consent, transparency, and fair compensation for any AI use.
- The changes mark a pivotal shift towards a more secure and equitable environment for game and voice actors in the AI era[1][5].
