SAG-AFTRA secures video game contracts as thousands sign AI warning statement

SAG-AFTRA has announced that it has negotiated over 120 video games to new union contracts with AI protections, following a statement signed by thousands warning artificial intelligence companies against the unlicensed use of their work.

In September, ReadWrite reported that California Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that sought to protect actors and performers against unauthorized AI. Prior to this, SAG-AFTRA actors union and an AI startup called Narrativ reached a landmark deal that would allow actors to be compensated fairly and retain relative control of their digital voices.

Today we’re publishing a statement on AI training, signed by 10,000+ creators already:

“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”

Signatories include… pic.twitter.com/AqVaEThMs4

— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) October 22, 2024

However, legal disputes persist between creative professionals and tech companies over the use of their work to train AI models like ChatGPT, with claims that using their intellectual property without consent constitutes a copyright violation.

The statement reads: “The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”

At the time of writing, around 13,500 people had signed the statement, which included organizations such as Penguin Random House and UMG, as well as actors like Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon. The organizer of the letter, British composer and former AI executive Ed Newton-Rex, was cited on X as saying: “Today most AI companies use unlicensed copyrighted work without paying. This is unfair and unsustainable.”

"Today most AI companies use unlicensed copyrighted work without paying. This is unfair and unsustainable."@ednewtonrex, CEO of @fairlytrained, tackles the ethical challenges of AI and data usage, advocating for fairer practices in the rapidly evolving AI landscape at #TEDAI. pic.twitter.com/doU4XN9Mo2

— TEDAI San Francisco (@TEDAI2024) October 22, 2024

In the video gaming industry, the union went on strike in July and has since been protesting outside the headquarters of major companies involved in the negotiations.

Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh said: “Humane protections for actors against A.I. exploitation are not an unreasonable ask — and the success of these contracts shows that most companies agree.”

She continued: “They are happy to embrace fundamental, ethical guidelines around this tool – alongside equitable accommodation of it – in order to collaborate with professional talent. And talent are likewise eager and delighted to partner with companies that respect them.”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland added: “As we return to negotiations tomorrow, I hope we are able to reach an agreement on our Interactive Media Agreement, but if not, we will keep on working with the companies that are prepared to agree to fair, ethical, and responsible contract terms, including for the use of artificial intelligence.”

ReadWrite has reached out to Ed Newton-Rex for comment.

Featured image: Ideogram

The post SAG-AFTRA secures video game contracts as thousands sign AI warning statement appeared first on ReadWrite.