SAG-AFTRA is striking against video game publishers to protect actors from being exploited with the help of artificial intelligence.
After a year and a half of negotiations, no agreement has been reached. The union wants to ensure that artificial intelligence is not used as a tactic to take advantage of actors in major video games. SAG-AFTRA noted in its statement: “The convenience bargaining group with which SAG-AFTRA is negotiating includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., Voice Works Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc.”
On their website, they stated: “SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games will go on strike against all video game companies that are signatories to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26. [called by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator].”
Duncan revealed: “The video game industry generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and who deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as film, television, streaming and music artists: fair compensation and the right to informed consent for the use of their faces, voices and bodies by AI.”
On an Instagram mail On Thursday, July 25, community followers shared their thoughts on the matter. “The idea of AI replacing actors and voice actors is getting out of hand… AI cannot duplicate the fragility of the human condition in the same way a human can,” commented one user.
This comes shortly after the union was on strike for 118 days against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The movement came to an end in November 2023, when a solution was reached: “We have reached a contract that will allow SAG-AFTRA members across all categories to build sustainable careers… Many thousands of artists, now and in the future, will benefit from this work.”