The SAG-AFTRA strike, which lasted for 118 days, ended on November 9, 2023, paving the way for Hollywood actors to return to work.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, performers, and broadcasters in the United States, has secured important protections for its members in the age of artificial intelligence. The union’s new contract with the AMPTP, the association representing major Hollywood studios, requires that performers and background actors give informed consent before their digital replicas can be created or used. It also ensures that performers are fairly compensated for the use of their digital replicas.
SAG-AFTRA Wins Protections for Performers in the Age of AI
In the past, studios have been able to create and use digital replicas of performers without their consent. This has raised concerns about performers’ privacy and control over their own image. SAG-AFTRA’s new contract addresses these concerns by requiring studios to obtain performers’ consent before creating or using their digital replicas.
The contract also ensures that performers are fairly compensated for the use of their digital replicas. For employment-based digital replicas, performers will be paid the equivalent of the payment they would receive if they were doing the work themselves. This means that performers will not be financially disadvantaged by the use of their digital replicas.
The contract also includes protections for background actors. It ensures that background actors are actually hired for productions and not replaced by AI. It also prohibits the use of digital replicas to evade payment of background actors.
SAG-AFTRA’s new contract is a major victory for performers and background actors. It ensures that they have a say in how their digital replicas are used and that they are fairly compensated for their work.
What does this mean for the future of Hollywood?
SAG-AFTRA’s new contract is a sign that the union is taking the issue of AI seriously. The union is clearly concerned about the potential impact of AI on its members’ jobs and livelihoods.
The contract’s requirements for informed consent and fair compensation should help to protect performers and background actors from being exploited in the age of AI. It should also give performers and background actors more control over their own image and how it is used.
The contract also sends a message to the industry that AI should not be used to replace performers and background actors. The union is clearly committed to ensuring that performers and background actors continue to have a place in Hollywood, even in the age of AI.
What can performers and background actors do to protect themselves?
Performers and background actors should review their SAG-AFTRA contracts carefully to understand their rights and responsibilities. They should also be aware of the risks associated with the use of AI.
