The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has provided an update to its members regarding ongoing negotiations for AI protections in video game acting. While some progress has been made, SAG-AFTRA finds itself "frustratingly far apart" from the video game industry bargaining group, which includes representatives from major AAA gaming companies. A detailed chart from SAG-AFTRA highlights the key differences between their proposals and those of the bargaining group.
Significant points of contention include:
- Protection against digital replica or generative AI use for all work, not just work produced after the agreement's implementation.
- The definition of "digital replica," where SAG-AFTRA proposes it should include any performance that is "readily identifiable or attributable to" a performer. The bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," which SAG-AFTRA believes could exclude many performances.
- The inclusion of "movement" performers in the generative AI agreement.
- Using the term "real-time generation" for AI-created performances, as opposed to the bargaining group's suggested term "procedural generation," which SAG-AFTRA argues has a different meaning in gaming contexts.
- Whether employers must disclose blending of voices to create digital replicas.
- Disclosure requirements if a performer's voice is used for a real-time chatbot versus scripted dialogue.
- SAG-AFTRA's proposal to withdraw consent for digital replica use during strikes, contrasted with employers' desire to continue using them during strikes.
- The duration of consent for real-time generation, with SAG-AFTRA proposing a five-year limit, while the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.
- Minimum compensation for digital replica creation and use, where both sides have disagreements but have tentatively agreed on bonus pay calculations.
- The bargaining group's proposal to grant bonus rights to employers, which SAG-AFTRA views as too broad and potentially circumventing union rights.
- A system to track digital replica usage to ensure fair compensation, which the bargaining group considers unfeasible.
- Definitions and regulations concerning "synthetic" performers created by generative AI systems.
Despite these disputes, tentative agreements have been reached on several issues, including bonus pay, dispute resolution, certain minimum compensation elements, consent requirements, and some disclosures. However, SAG-AFTRA expresses concern that the bargaining employers may be misrepresenting the closeness of a deal to members.
In a letter to members, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, warned against accepting roles during the strike, highlighting the risks of undermining union efforts and working without AI protections. He emphasized the potential for companies to misuse AI to replace performers without consent or compensation.
Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, countered with a statement highlighting their proposed deal, which includes over 15% wage increases for SAG-AFTRA represented performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading terms for AI digital replicas, along with additional compensation for cross-game use of performances.
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, now in its eighth month, was initiated due to disagreements over AI provisions, despite agreement on 24 out of 25 other contract proposals. The impact of the strike is increasingly visible in the industry, with players noting unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. Recent incidents include SAG-AFTRA striking against League of Legends after Riot's alleged attempt to subvert the strike, and Activision recasting characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to player concerns about new voices. Today, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovered their replacement via the game's latest patch notes.
