Last September, SAG-AFTRA union members voted yes to authorize a video game strike. Reasons why included a desire for better wages, increased safety precautions, and protections around exploitative uses of artificial intelligence. Now, just a few months later, SAG-AFTRA has signed an agreement with Replica Studios, an A.I. voice technology company, to allow game developers to use A.I. voices, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
According to the outlet, SAG-AFTRA and AI voice company Replica Studios have agreed that developers can “access top SAG-AFTRA talent” for the purpose of AI voice generation. Voice actors will be required to provide consent before this happens and will have the chance to negotiate for compensation accordingly.
SAG-AFTRA confirmed the reporting, saying the agreement “paves the way for professional voice-over artists to safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology, allowing AAA video game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.”
You can read the full announcement here.
In contrast, voice actors have taken to social media saying they weren’t aware of the agreement or any negotiations.
Excuse me? With all due respect…you state in the article “Approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.” Nobody in our community approved this that I know of. Games are the bulk of my livelihood and have been for years. Who are you referring to?
— Steve Blum (@blumspew) January 9, 2024
How has this agreement passed without notice or vote? “voice to be used as a training data set”? Why can’t the actual actor be used for the videogame??? Every job brings a unique opportunity for an actor to …act. Encouraging/allowing AI replacement is a slippery slope downward.
— Veronica Taylor (@TheVeronicaT) January 10, 2024
SAG-AFTRA: "Approved by affected members of the union's voiceover performer community…"
Literally every working voice actor: "We did not approve this." https://t.co/FLo9rsnAch pic.twitter.com/JUtl0IvCNO
— Yong Yea (@YongYea) January 9, 2024
AI has certainly been a hot-button issue in the gaming industry, even well beyond the realm of voice acting, with many companies including Microsoft, Square Enix, and Ubisoft expressing their interest or striking deals of their own.
While the union seems to want to protect the rights of actors involved in movie and TV roles from AI technology, the same can’t be said about their voice-acting members. The Outerhaven understands that Unions are usually a good thing for workers’ rights, it looks like this time the Union is only looking out for one segment of their membership.
SAG-AFTRA recently took part in a lengthy film and TV strike that included concerns over AI technology. The strike took place from 14 July to 9 November 2023.
