SAG-AFTRA Union and Publishers “Frustratingly Far Apart” on AI Agreement

The ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and game publishers continue to face significant hurdles, particularly concerning the role of artificial intelligence in voice acting.

In a recent update on their website, SAG-AFTRA expressed some optimism, acknowledging that although they’ve made headway on a few terms, they remain “frustratingly far apart” when it comes to ironclad agreements regarding AI usage. This stalemate persists as members in the gaming sector have been striking since July 2024.

A major sticking point involves publishers wanting the ability to replicate an actor’s voice digitally, utilizing it without the actor’s awareness or consent. This prospect has raised considerable alarm among members.

SAG-AFTRA clarified the situation: “Despite what the bargaining group suggests, a deal is not just around the corner,” the union stated. “They are trying to sow discord among our ranks, but we urge you all to review our updated AI proposal comparisons to understand the real gap between us and the protections we’re demanding for all performers.”

The union highlighted that publishers are eager to exploit past performances and obtain performances independently of contracts while sidestepping negotiated protections. This could result in actors being unaware of how their digital likeness is used, with no financial compensation or agency over its deployment. Concerningly, these replicas could essentially “work” for the publishers during future strikes, regardless of the actor’s wishes. Moreover, even with initial consent about usage, publishers resist disclosing subsequent actions taken with the replicas.

Despite the challenges with these negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has reported success elsewhere. They’ve secured agreements with over 160 game developers, marking a substantial win. Remarkably, the revenue from these compliant projects eclipses that of non-strike games, proving the viability and acceptability of the terms SAG-AFTRA is pushing for. Such agreements demonstrate that the protections are feasible and preferred by a broad spectrum of the industry, contrary to the bargaining group’s stance.