SAG-AFTRA Strikes Tentative Deal on AI Protections for Actors

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with major video game companies following a lengthy strike that began in July 2024. This agreement addresses AI protections for performers, a crucial aspect of the negotiations that has drawn significant attention amid the rising use of AI in gaming. SAG-AFTRA members had a strong support for the strike, voting overwhelmingly in favor of action due to concerns over how AI technology was impacting their livelihoods. The agreement is pending approval from the national board but is expected to end the strike soon, allowing for a return to normalcy in game voice acting as companies like Activision and Epic Games navigate their AI use policies.

The tentative agreement includes essential AI guardrails that ensure performers' rights and livelihoods are protected in the face of increasing AI integration in video games. It mandates that companies must obtain consent from performers before creating AI versions of their likeness or voice, and compensates them fairly for such usage.

This strike and tentative agreement come at a pivotal moment for the video game industry, particularly as major titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty have explored integrating AI technology. Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games are among other companies that have been scrutinizing their practices in light of this industrial action. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent on how voice actors and developers collaborate in an evolving gaming landscape heavily influenced by AI advancements.