SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios agree on the terms of AI use in video games

The SAG-AFTRA actors’ guild and Replica Studios, a voice acting studio that uses artificial intelligence, have agreed to use AI in video games. The announcement was made at CES in Las Vegas, writes Variety.

SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland clarified the details of the agreement. According to him, the agreements provide for informed consent to the use of AI to create digital voice cues.

In addition, the agreement between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios addresses the requirements for the secure storage of digital assets.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland also emphasized that the union seeks to use new technologies to benefit performers and does not try to stand in their way.

“This is an evolutionary step forward. AI technology is not something we can block. It’s not something we can stop. That’s not a tactic or a strategy that’s ever worked for labor in the past,” he noted.

As you know, SAG-AFTRA is currently in similar negotiations with a coalition of major video game studios. The agreement with Replica Studios may help accelerate these negotiations.

“I’m hopeful we will be able to reach agreement with the video game studios imminently,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

Last year, several strikes were launched in Hollywood related to the use of AI in work. For example, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in May, and in the fall finally won in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Hollywood studios.

In the summer, the strike was announced by SAG-AFTRA, which also negotiated with film studios over actors’ working conditions. This strike lasted until November.