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

The SAG-AFTRA union has announced that they remain significantly distant from reaching an agreement with gaming publishers on the use of artificial intelligence in acting roles.

In an update on their website, SAG-AFTRA acknowledged some progress and the consensus on certain points, but emphasized that they are still “frustratingly far apart” with publishers on AI issues. Since July 2024, SAG-AFTRA members involved in the gaming sector have been on strike.

The main sticking point is the implementation of AI. There are publishers looking to recreate an actor’s voice for future use without their knowledge, for example.

“The bargaining group would like you to believe that a deal is imminent,” SAG-AFTRA stated.

“This is simply not true. They’re also banking on our members turning against one another. We strongly encourage you to check out the updated comparison chart on AI proposals to understand the significant gap that still exists concerning essential AI protections for all performers.

“They aim to utilize past performances and any content they can gather from outside the contract without negotiating any safeguards. There’s the risk of being kept in the dark about your voice replica being used, not being compensated for it, and having no recourse. They want the freedom to deploy your replica, posing as you, during any future strikes, regardless of your consent. Even after granting specific permission for your replica’s use, they aren’t willing to disclose its actual usage.

“Despite our impasse with the bargaining group, we’ve achieved notable success with other employers. Over 160 games have joined our interim and independent agreements, with the earnings from these projects surpassing those of non-struck games. These agreements include the protections we’ve repeatedly requested from the bargaining group—terms that have been proven viable and acceptable by various game companies, regardless of size, even as the primary bargaining companies remain resistant.”