Actors and Game Developers Negotiate AI Voice Work Protections

Three months after going on strike over concerns over video games' AI voice work, SAG-AFTRA is heading back to the negotiating table with the companies that signed on to the Interactive Media Agreement on October 23. The guild will also stage a picket line at the Warner Bros. lot on October 16.

Safeguarding Performers' Rights in the Digital Age

Resuming Negotiations for AI Voice Work Protections

The ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Interactive Media Agreement companies, including major players like Disney, Activision, Electronic Arts, and Warner Bros. Games, signify a critical juncture in the ongoing battle to protect the rights of voice actors and motion-capture performers in the video game industry. After more than a year of negotiations, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on the crucial issue of safeguarding performers' voices, movements, and likenesses from unauthorized use in AI-powered models.The guild's decision to resume negotiations on October 23 suggests a willingness to find a mutually acceptable solution that addresses the concerns of both the performers and the game development companies. The upcoming picket line at the Warner Bros. lot on October 16 serves as a reminder of the gravity of the situation and the union's determination to secure fair and equitable terms for its members.

Addressing the Formosa Group Controversy

In a related development, SAG-AFTRA has also taken action against the Formosa Group, a voiceover production company, alleging that it had sought non-union work via a shell company for a video game currently in development. In response, the union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board and expanded its strike to League of Legends, one of Formosa's biggest games, which provides a significant amount of voiceover work.However, Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, has categorically denied any involvement in the Formosa Group controversy. In a statement, a Riot spokesperson clarified that the game has only engaged with union performers in the United States and has never suggested otherwise. The spokesperson also stated that the allegations regarding the cancellation of a game or the hiring of non-union talent are related to a non-Riot game and have no bearing on League of Legends or any of Riot's other titles.

Seeking Consent and Compensation for AI Use

At the heart of the ongoing dispute is the guild's demand for guarantees that video game performers have given consent and received appropriate compensation for any use of their work in AI models for video games. SAG-AFTRA general counsel Jeff Bennett has emphasized the importance of video game companies respecting the creative contributions of performers, just as other industries have done.The guild's stance reflects a broader concern within the entertainment industry about the potential misuse of performers' digital likenesses and the need to establish clear guidelines and protections. As the use of AI technology continues to evolve, the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the game development companies will set a precedent for how the industry addresses these complex issues.The resumption of negotiations on October 23 presents an opportunity for both parties to find a mutually beneficial solution that safeguards the rights of performers while also allowing game developers to harness the potential of AI technology in a responsible and ethical manner. The outcome of these talks will have far-reaching implications for the future of voice acting and motion-capture work in the video game industry.