LogInIt's "50-50, or more likely than that."
Image credit: SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA's major strike that affected dozens of popular projects ended in November, but it doesn't mean the fight for better conditions is over. Now, it's time for the game industry, and we might see actors behind popular titles on strike next month, according to SAG-AFTRA's National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
The AI issue is as painful as ever, and union members could go striking against game companies very soon. Crabtree-Ireland thinks it is “50-50, or more likely than that we will go on strike in the next four to six weeks because of our inability to get past these issues” (via Variety).
In September, 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorize a strike against major game companies, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take Two, and WB Games. Now, the threat of AI taking over the industry is rightfully bothering actors.
In January, SAG-AFTRA introduced a "groundbreaking" AI voice agreement with Replica Studios, the creator of the AI Voice Plugin, stating that actors can let the company use their voice to create a digital replica. The decision was met with harsh criticism as voice actors kept saying that they hadn't voted on anything like that. The issue was seemingly partly resolved with the introduction of the NO AI FRAUDS Act, which "prohibits publication, distribution or transmission of an unauthorized digital replica without consent."
The thing is, the AI revolution is inevitable and it's best to adapt rather than ban the whole idea as many actors suggested, according to Crabtree-Ireland:
“We would not have succeeded, any more than any union ever in history has been able to stop technology,” he said. “Unions that try that approach, they fail and they give up the chance to influence how those technologies are implemented. “The fact of matter is, we’re going to have AI.”
For now, the position of the Actors Guild is clear: we can't avoid AI entirely, but people should have the right to give consent or revoke it when it comes to using their voices.
We'll see if SAG-AFTRA starts a new strike in the coming weeks soon enough. Meanwhile, read the original article here and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.
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