SAG-AFTRA, WGA & Union Coalition Praise Bills In New York That Would Bar Recipients Of State’s Film Tax Credits From Using AI To Displace Workers

deadline.com:

The New York Film and Television Union Coalition is praising a pair of identical bills pending in New York State that would “prohibit applicants to the Empire State film production credit from using artificial intelligence that would displace any natural person in their productions.” The coalition is made up of SAG-AGTRA, the WGA East, the Directors Guild of America, the Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600), the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700), United Scenic Artists (IATSE Local 829), IATSE Local 52, and Teamsters Local 817.

The use of artificial intelligence in the production of film and TV shows is a key strike issue for both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA, which have been on strike since May 2 and July 14, respectively.

The DGA’s new contract, which was ratified in June, contains guardrails on its use, and IATSE, which will begin contract negotiations next year, has said that artificial intelligence “threatens to fundamentally alter employers’ business models and disrupt IATSE members’ livelihoods.”  “We strongly believe in the inherent value of human creative expression over generative artificial intelligence,” the Union Coalition said in a statement today, noting that the pending legislation “rightly prioritizes workers and protects against job displacement in the film and television industry and will help prevent misappropriation of the tangible and intangible assets of the creative talent we represent.

We look forward to working further with Senator [Lea] Webb and Assemblymember [Demond] Meeks on this issue.” And while saying that “we embrace the potential inherent in artificial intelligence to improve lives, improve jobs, and better our world,” the Union Coalition noted, however, that “this potential