SAG-AFTRA Approves Use of AI Voice Actors, Sparking Outrage in the Global Voice-Over Community

The latest reports indicate that SAG-AFTRA has partnered with Replica Studios, approving the use of AI voice actors in video games. This decision has sparked discontent within the global voiceover community, with some voiceover stars expressing their concerns on social media, and rumors even suggest the possibility of a second actor strike. The agreement aims to create digital voice replicas, which could have profound implications for human voice actors.

SAG-AFTRA and AI Startup Ethovox Reach Agreement to Protect Actors' Voice Rights

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently signed an agreement with the AI company Ethovox to protect actors' rights in artificial intelligence voice models. The primary goal of this agreement is to establish a responsible framework for the use of AI in the entertainment industry, ensuring that actors' rights are upheld in the new technological era. Under this agreement, actors will receive upfront payments when recording their voices and will share in subsequent revenues. This means that actors will be compensated fairly when their voices are used in AI models.

SAG-AFTRA and AI Company Reach Historic Agreement: Establishing Protection Standards for Actor Voice Data

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently signed a landmark agreement with the AI voice company Ethovox, setting clear regulations for the AI application of actor voice data. This agreement not only provides a reliable framework for the entertainment industry’s use of AI technology but also establishes new standards for protecting actors' rights. According to the agreement, actors will receive dual revenue guarantees: an upfront payment for voice recordings and ongoing revenue sharing from the application of AI voice models. More importantly, any use of voice data requires consent.

New Regulations in Hollywood! Do Families Need to Consent for AI Replication of Deceased Stars?

California has passed new legislation AB1836, which requires explicit consent from the estates of deceased performers before creating AI replicas for various digital representations in films, television, and games. The law aims to enhance the protection of performers' rights in the era of artificial intelligence. The SAG-AFTRA union has expressed its support and is collaborating with AI companies Narrativ and ElevenLabs to establish a platform that allows actors to license their voice AI clones, ensuring control over how and where their likeness is used. This initiative will not only impact Hollywood.

California Passes New Bill to Protect Performers from AI Replicas Infringement

The California Senate has passed Bill AB2602, aimed at protecting performers from unauthorized artificial intelligence digital replicas. It requires explicit consent before using a performer’s digital likeness. The bill is similar to SAG-AFTRA's contract from last year and extends protections to other performance forms such as video games, audiobooks, and advertisements, including non-union work. It passed both the House and Senate with strong support and will be reviewed again before being sent to the governor. SAG-AFTRA is also advocating for the federal 'No Fakes Act'.

Generative AI Invades the Gaming Industry: Developers' Attitudes Waver, 49% of Studios Have Adopted It

The latest survey from the Game Developer Collective reveals the complex attitudes of game developers towards the application of generative AI. 30% of respondents expect AI to reduce development costs in the coming year, while 8% anticipate an increase in costs. Regarding quality, 17% of developers believe AI will enhance game quality, whereas 35% express concern over declining quality. Generative AI has sparked controversy in the gaming industry, with opponents arguing that it may cause greater environmental harm and lead to a decrease in product quality. In terms of application, 49% of developers have adopted it.