Members of the SAG-AFTRA voice actors union are once again pushing back against game companies and their use of AI tools. The union has set up the necessary steps to call a strike unless game companies agree to terms that provide “critical A.I. protections for video game performers,” which readers will recall was part of earlier negotiations between members and studios.
The union claims that both sides are still “far apart” on resolving AI-related terms of the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) even as negotiations continue. If a strike is called, it will affect all services covered in the IMA, with the threat of all members halting their performance work until an agreement is reached.
“Our membership voted more than 98% yes to authorize a strike of this contract should the employers not come to the table with a deal that includes our critical provisions – especially in AI,” reads a statement from national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “We are steadfast in our commitment to our membership who work this contract and whose extraordinary performances are the heart and soul of the world’s most popular video games. Time is running out for the companies to make a deal.”
Epic supports the Screen Actors Guild’s view that game companies shouldn’t receive generative AI voice training rights on dialog recording sessions.
If a company wants to offer to license an actor’s or actress’s voice for generative AI training, there should be a very clear and…
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 22, 2024
