A new wave of strikes has hit Hollywood, this time over the use of artificial intelligence in the video game industry. Performers represented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have voted to go on strike after negotiations with gaming giants failed to reach an agreement over the regulation of generative AI. The strike, which began on Friday, marks the second stoppage in the last year for SAG-AFTRA, following a walkout over film, television, and streaming contracts in November of the previous year.
The main point of contention in the current strike is defining who constitutes a “performer” and ensuring that these individuals are protected under the collective bargaining agreement. SAG-AFTRA negotiators have raised concerns that without proper regulations, game companies could use AI to replicate an actor’s voice or create digital replicas of their likeness without consent or fair compensation.
The union argues that members in the video game industry play a crucial role in the success of the global gaming industry, which generates over $100 billion in profit annually. Last year’s strike by the union over film and television contracts also highlighted concerns about the use of AI by movie studios.
Despite some progress in negotiations regarding wages and job safety, the deadlock remains over the issue of AI protections. SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez emphasized that this strike is a last resort after exhausting other possibilities. The union is demanding safeguards to protect performers and ensure fair compensation in the rapidly evolving landscape of the video game industry.
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