Over 500 actors protest at Warner Bros. demanding safeguards against AI misuse in major strike

Biggest Strike Since Last Year

Last year, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America halted work in TV and film for three months in a significant strike action.

These unions of actors and writers pushed for improved pay and working conditions, resulting in delays to TV shows and movies.

Video Game Industry Hit

Now, the video game sector is in the spotlight as SAG-AFTRA strikes against 10 gaming companies to secure better protections for voice actors and performance capture artists.

The main concern for SAG-AFTRA is the utilization, and potential misuse, of AI.

AI Use at the Core

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the need for a fair agreement that prevents companies from exploiting AI to the detriment of their members.

Spokespersons from the Interactive Media Agreement producers assert that common ground has been reached on most proposals after lengthy negotiations.

Concerns and Demands

The strike focuses on fair consent and compensation for the use of AI replicas of union actors, with over 500 actors picketing at WB Games in solidarity.

Issues include the lack of protections for actors whose in-game characters do not resemble them and concerns about AI training on an actor's performance rather than rehiring them for future projects.

Future Implications

The strike only impacts projects initiated after the previous agreement expired in August 2023, sparing games like GTA 6 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard from delays.

However, upcoming games could face setbacks due to the strike action.

For more gaming news, explore the CEO who reportedly splurged $2.5 million on cars before laying off hundreds.