SCREEN ACTORS GUILD STRIKES AGAINST VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY OVER AI WORKER PROTECTIONS; BLOCKBUSTER GAMES IN DEVELOPMENT JEOPARDIZED!
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has once again drawn the lines in the sand against the video game industry, embarking on a historic strike. The epicenter of this standoff? The thorny issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on performer protections in a rapidly digitizing entertainment platform.
At the heart of this stalemate is the contention over who should be eligible for AI protections, a critical concern in a world where motion capture and AI technology have become as commonplace, if not more so, than conventional voice acting. The gaming corporations had originally pushed for protections to be applicable only for voice artists, thus excluding motion performers.
SAG-AFTRA firmly rejected this proposal. The union argued that the AI protections should extend to all forms of performances that contribute to the creation of digital characters, regardless if they are voice or motion actors.
In response to the union’s pushback, gaming corporations came to the table with another package. The updated proposition included protections for motion performers, but with a precise condition – these protections would only come into play if the performer is identifiable in the AI digital replica output. Unsurprisingly, SAG-AFTRA turned down the amendment, unwilling to accept the narrowed definition of these AI protections.
The line from game corporations is that their offer demands actors’ consent, offers fair compensation, and provides valuable AI protections. However, the union argues these protections should not hinge on the 'identifiability' of the performer but on their actual contribution to the AI performances.
This ie the second major strike by SAG-AFTRA against the video game industry. In 2016, an 11-month-long strike resulted in improved salaries and safety assurances for performers. The striking workers continue production on some games, those that went into production before August 2023 are exempt from the strike while the extent of the delay on others will only be known as the strike continues.
This standoff paints a vivid picture of the shifting ground on which entertainment industries stand. As AI capabilities continue to evolve rapidly, labor disputes like these highlight the urgent need for ongoing negotiations around worker rights and protections. While corporations may feel the pressure to keep pace with advancements in technology, it is vital they also keep step with establishing fair and equitable treatment for the performers who bring their digital creations to life.
The decisions made in this conflict will likely have far-reaching consequences for the gaming industry and could set the precedent for AI-related disputes in other sectors. As we continue down this digital rabbit hole with AI and machine learning at its helm, we must not lose sight of the human workforce, their rights, and the protections they need in the new technologically advanced landscape. This SAG-AFTRA strike may well be remembered as a monumental moment in the quest for that balance.