SAG-AFTRA Says Use Of AI To Simulate Actors’ Performances Must Be Bargained For

deadline.com:

If producers use artificial intelligence to simulate an actor’s performance, they’re going to have to bargain for it, SAG-AFTRA said Friday in a statement on the use of AI and digital doubling. “The terms and conditions involving rights to digitally simulate a performer to create new performances must be bargained with the union,” the guild said in a statement. “These rights are mandatory subjects of bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act,” the guild says. “Companies are required to bargain with SAG-AFTRA before attempting to acquire these rights in individual performers’ contracts.

To attempt to circumvent SAG-AFTRA and deal directly with the performers on these issues is a clear violation of the NLRA.” The WGA has staked out a similar position.

It its pattern of demands for its upcoming contract talks, which begin Monday, the writers guild seeks to “regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies.” “Human creators are the foundation of the creative industries and we must ensure that they are respected and paid for their work,” SAG-AFTRA says. “Governments should not create new copyright or other intellectual property exemptions that allow artificial intelligence developers to exploit creative works, or professional voices and likenesses, without permission or compensation.

Trustworthiness and transparency are essential to the success of AI.  “SAG-AFTRA will continue to prioritize the protection of our member performers against the unauthorized use of their voices, likenesses and performances.