SAG-AFTRA Says It's Still 'Frustratingly Far Apart' From Games Industry Bargaining Group on AI Protections

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently updated its members on video game actor AI protection negotiations. While progress has been made, significant disagreements remain with the industry bargaining group. A chart highlighting these differences reveals key sticking points:

• AI Protection Scope: SAG-AFTRA seeks protection for all past and future work, not just future projects. The bargaining group's proposal is more limited.

• "Digital Replica" Definition: SAG-AFTRA's definition, encompassing any readily identifiable performance, is broader than the bargaining group's "objectively identifiable" proposal, which SAG-AFTRA argues allows for exclusions.

• Inclusion of Movement Performers: SAG-AFTRA seeks to include movement performers in the AI agreement, a point not fully addressed by the bargaining group.

• Terminology: Disagreements exist on terminology, with SAG-AFTRA preferring "real-time generation" over the bargaining group's "procedural generation."

• Transparency: SAG-AFTRA demands disclosure regarding voice blending and the use of voices in real-time chatbots versus scripted dialogue. The bargaining group hasn't fully addressed these points.

• Strike Clause: SAG-AFTRA's proposal withdraws consent for digital replica use during strikes; the bargaining group opposes this.

• Consent Duration: SAG-AFTRA proposes a five-year consent period, while the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.

• Compensation: Significant disagreements remain on minimum compensation for digital replica creation and use, although tentative agreement exists on bonus pay calculations.

• Employer Bonus Rights: The bargaining group's proposed bonus rights clause, similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, is considered too broad by SAG-AFTRA, potentially circumventing union rights. However, SAG-AFTRA is open to a revised version with stricter limitations.

• Usage Tracking: SAG-AFTRA seeks a system to track digital replica usage and ensure appropriate compensation; the bargaining group considers this infeasible.

• Synthetic Performer Definitions: Clear definitions regarding "synthetic" performers and their regulation are still needed.

Despite tentative agreements on bonus pay, dispute resolution, and other elements, SAG-AFTRA expresses concern that the bargaining group is misrepresenting the progress. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland warns members against undermining the strike by accepting work without adequate AI protections.

Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, counters that their proposal includes significant wage increases, enhanced safety protections, and industry-leading AI terms. They express a desire to return to the bargaining table.

The eight-month-long strike, stemming from the AI disagreement, is visibly impacting games. Players report unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. League of Legends experienced a strike-related incident, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 character voice actors were reportedly recast. Recently, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovered their replacements via patch notes.