SAG-AFTRA's Strike Against Video Game Giants: A Fight for AI Protections and Fair Compensation
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) initiated a strike against major video game companies, including industry heavyweights Activision and Electronic Arts, on July 26th. This action, following prolonged negotiations, underscores deep concerns about the unchecked use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for fair compensation for performers.
Key Issues Fueling the Strike:
The core dispute revolves around the potential misuse of AI in the video game industry. While not inherently opposed to AI technology, SAG-AFTRA members fear its potential to replace human actors. Concerns include the unauthorized replication of actors' voices and likenesses, the displacement of actors from smaller roles, and ethical dilemmas arising from AI-generated content that may not align with an actor's values.
Bridging the Gap: New Agreements and Temporary Solutions:
To address these challenges, SAG-AFTRA has introduced several agreements. The Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement (I-IMA) offers a tiered framework for projects with budgets between $250,000 and $30 million, providing adjusted rates and terms based on budget size. This agreement, established in February, incorporates AI protections previously rejected by the video game industry bargaining group. A significant development was a January side deal with Replica Studios, allowing union members to license digital voice replicas under specific conditions, including the right to opt out of perpetual use.
Further temporary solutions are provided by the Interim Interactive Media Agreement and the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement. These agreements address crucial aspects including: right of rescission, compensation, rate maximums, AI/digital modeling guidelines, rest periods, meal periods, late payment penalties, health and retirement benefits, casting and audition practices, and overnight location employment regulations. Importantly, projects approved under these interim agreements are exempt from the strike.
A Year and a Half of Negotiations and Unwavering Resolve:
Negotiations began in October 2022, culminating in a near-unanimous (98.32%) strike authorization vote by SAG-AFTRA members on September 24, 2023. Despite progress on certain issues, the lack of strong, enforceable AI protections remains the primary obstacle.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and other union leaders have forcefully stated their commitment to securing fair AI practices and equitable treatment for their members, emphasizing the industry's substantial profits and the invaluable contributions of actors. The union remains resolute in its pursuit of a contract that protects its members' rights and livelihoods in the evolving landscape of the video game industry.
