A new wave of strikes has hit Hollywood, this time focusing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the video games industry. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has voted to go on strike after failed negotiations with gaming studios over the use of AI in productions. This is the second strike in less than a year for the union, following a long walkout over film and television contracts.
The strike, involving over 2,500 video game performers, began after almost two years of negotiations with major gaming companies like Activision, Warner Bros., and Disney. While progress has been made on wages and job safety, the main point of contention remains the regulation of generative AI. The union is concerned that without proper rules in place, companies could use AI to replicate actors’ voices or create digital replicas without consent or fair compensation.
SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez emphasized that the industry’s definition of who qualifies as a “performer” is crucial in determining protections under the collective bargaining agreement. The union views the strike as a last resort after exhausting all other options.
The global video game industry rakes in over $100 billion annually, with the people behind the games driving this success. Members of SAG-AFTRA overwhelmingly authorized the strike, citing concerns about the misuse of AI by studios. The last interactive contract, which expired in 2022, did not include AI protections but did secure bonus compensation for voice actors and performance artists after a strike in 2016. Hollywood’s largest actors union is once again taking a stand to protect its members’ rights in the face of technological advancements in the industry.
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