SAG-AFTRA Inks Deal with AI Firm to Navigate Voice Actor Rights in Video Gaming

The Screen Actors Guild or SAG-AFTRA, which is a union representing a variety of performance artists including voice actors in the video game industry, has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Replica Studios, a company specializing in generative AI technology. This deal serves as a framework to regulate the utilization of AI in video games, particularly concerning the use of actors' voice likeness.

Consent and Control Over Digital Voices

The agreement focuses on key principles. Primarily, it allows Replica to create AI-generated voice doubles of actors with the precondition of actors' explicit consent. This pioneering move empowers voice actors to maintain significant control over their digital likenesses. They have the opportunity to negotiate terms regarding the utilization of their AI-generated voices and can opt to discontinue their use in future game projects, as mandated by the union.

Securing Rights and Fair Compensation

SAG-AFTRA has expressed that the best line of defense against unauthorized use of an actor's voice or likeness is enrolling in a SAG-AFTRA contract. The union's leadership, including President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, highlight the deal as a victory for achieving informed consent and equitable compensation for the members' contributions.

Contending with the Challenges of AI

This deal arrives on the heels of another agreement with the AMPTP for film and television, also focusing on AI provisions. Despite this, some members worry about the sufficiency of these protections against AI advancements. Since 2018, SAG-AFTRA has been engaged in understanding how generative AI may affect its members, with the recent unanimous support for the deal with Replica. The agreement specifies that only legally licensed talent will be accessible for game developers on Replica's platform, distinguishing itself from other AI approaches that might utilize voices without permission.

Looking Beyond the Current Deal

However, SAG-AFTRA's current contract does not cover large language models (LLMs), which are being used by major gaming companies through other technologies apart from Replica's. The origins of LLM outputs and the ensuring of fair compensation remain contentious issues, extending beyond gaming into other creative industries.

Despite the union having previously authorized a strike in response to AI concerns, they are now engaged in ongoing talks to secure a new agreement that could provide further protections for video game industry workers. These negotiations are hoped to be influenced positively by the Replica deal, with union leadership optimistic about reaching a satisfactory outcome with gaming studios.

AI, videogames, actors