SAG-AFTRA video game actors on strike over AI concerns

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Actors and performers in the union SAG-AFTRA are on strike against video game companies.

The use of AI in video game development is a central issue in negotiations.

The strike come after nearly two years of contract talks. As of Friday at 12:01 a.m., members of the union stopped any voice acting, and anything else that appear in video games.

“All performers who work under our agreement are delivering performances that deserve to be protected, their likeness deserves to be protected, their voice deserves to be protected, their movements deserve to be protected,” said Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer. He says without protection game companies could train A.I to replicate an actor’s voice or create a digital replica of their likeness without consent or fair compensation.

The decision to go on strike on comes after 18 months of negotiations with gaming giants.

“We need our contract to protect all performers and until we have that, until we can look at our performers and say all of you who’s work is covered by this contract, who are valuable contributors to these games, until you are protected we will not make a deal and we will remain on strike,” said Rodriguez.

SAG-AFTRA last went on strike against video game makers in October 2016, over a compensation structure. The strike ended in September 2017.

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