SAG-AFTRA protests against the use of artificial intelligence in video games
27 july 2024 в 06:13
SAG-AFTRA has announced a strike against video game publishers to protect actors from exploitation using artificial intelligence.
After a year and a half of negotiations, a deal was not reached. The union wants to ensure that artificial intelligence is not used as a tactic to exploit actors in major games. SAG-AFTRA noted in their statement: «The group of convenient negotiators with whom SAG-AFTRA is negotiating includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., Voice Works Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc».
They stated on their website: «SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games are going on strike against all video game companies signed to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26 [called by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief executive and chief negotiator]».
Duncan noted: «The video game industry generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. The engine of this success is the creative people who develop and create these games. Among them are SAG-AFTRA members who bring to life memorable and beloved game characters, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right to informed consent to the use of their faces, voices, and bodies».
In an Instagram post published on Thursday, July 25, community followers expressed their opinions on the matter. «It's getting out of hand with the idea of replacing actors and voice actors with artificial intelligence… AI cannot reproduce the fragility of the human condition as a human can», - commented one user.
This comes shortly after the union was on strike for 118 days against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The movement ended in November 2023 when a resolution was reached: «We have reached an agreement that will allow SAG-AFTRA members in all categories to build sustainable careers… Many thousands of performers now and in the future will benefit from this work»
After a year and a half of negotiations, a deal was not reached. The union wants to ensure that artificial intelligence is not used as a tactic to exploit actors in major games. SAG-AFTRA noted in their statement: «The group of convenient negotiators with whom SAG-AFTRA is negotiating includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., Voice Works Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc».
They stated on their website: «SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games are going on strike against all video game companies signed to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26 [called by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief executive and chief negotiator]».
Duncan noted: «The video game industry generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. The engine of this success is the creative people who develop and create these games. Among them are SAG-AFTRA members who bring to life memorable and beloved game characters, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right to informed consent to the use of their faces, voices, and bodies».
In an Instagram post published on Thursday, July 25, community followers expressed their opinions on the matter. «It's getting out of hand with the idea of replacing actors and voice actors with artificial intelligence… AI cannot reproduce the fragility of the human condition as a human can», - commented one user.
This comes shortly after the union was on strike for 118 days against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The movement ended in November 2023 when a resolution was reached: «We have reached an agreement that will allow SAG-AFTRA members in all categories to build sustainable careers… Many thousands of performers now and in the future will benefit from this work»
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
