Video game voice actors go on strike over AI protections
Actors Demand AI Protections in Video Game Industry Standoff
Video game voice and motion capture performers have gone on strike for the second time in a decade, as negotiations between their union, SAG-AFTRA, and major video game companies like Activision, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive have reached an impasse. The sticking point appears to be the issue of artificial intelligence (AI) protections, with the union adamant that it will not consent to a contract that allows companies to "abuse AI to the detriment of our members."Safeguarding Performers' Livelihoods in the Age of AI
The Ongoing Negotiations and the AI Sticking Point
After a year and a half of negotiations, the video game performers represented by SAG-AFTRA have initiated a work stoppage, effective Friday morning. The union's president, Fran Drescher, has made it clear that the union will not accept a contract that fails to adequately protect its members from the potential misuse of AI technology.According to a spokesperson for the gaming companies, the AI terms that SAG-AFTRA has not agreed to are "among the strongest in the entertainment industry." However, the union remains steadfast in its position, stating that it will not consent to a contract that allows companies to "abuse AI to the detriment of our members."The Threat of AI Replacement and the Impact on Young Performers
The core issue at the heart of the strike is the concern that, without proper labor protections, video game companies could use the work of voice actors and motion capture performers to train AI models that could then replace their labor. This is a concern that has been raised in the broader discussion around AI and the arts, as the technology has the potential to disrupt traditional creative industries.As the Washington Post pointed out, the use of AI could also negatively impact young performers who are trying to break into the industry. If the kinds of background, non-player character roles that usually go to those people were instead relegated to AI, it may become harder for them to establish themselves in the industry.SAG-AFTRA's Previous Strike and the Evolving Landscape
This is not the first time that SAG-AFTRA's gaming workers have gone on strike. In 2016, voice actors started a work stoppage that lasted almost an entire year. However, that previous strike was more focused on "old" problems like bonuses, royalties, and worker safety, rather than the rapidly developing issue of AI.The current strike highlights the evolving landscape of the video game industry and the need for unions to adapt to the challenges posed by new technologies. While SAG-AFTRA has not been inherently opposed to AI up to this point, it is clear that the union is now taking a firm stance to protect its members' interests in the face of this emerging threat.The Potential for a Prolonged Standoff
Given the complexity of the issues at hand and the entrenched positions of both sides, it is possible that this latest strike could last for some time. The 2016 strike lasted nearly a year, and the current impasse over AI protections may prove to be an even more difficult hurdle to overcome.As the video game industry continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, the relationship between performers and the companies that employ them will likely become increasingly complex. The outcome of this strike could have far-reaching implications for the future of the industry and the way in which creative talent is compensated and protected.
