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) has provided its members with a crucial update on the ongoing negotiations regarding AI protections for video game actors. Despite some progress, the guild finds itself "frustratingly far apart" from the video game industry's bargaining group, which includes representatives from major AAA gaming companies. A detailed chart released by SAG-AFTRA highlights the significant gaps between their proposals and those of the bargaining group.

Key issues that remain unresolved include:

• Protection from digital replica or generative AI use: SAG-AFTRA seeks protections for all work, not just work produced after the agreement's effective date.
• Definition of "digital replica": The guild wants to include any performance, vocal or movement, that is "readily identifiable or attributable" to a performer. In contrast, the bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," which SAG-AFTRA argues would allow employers to exclude many performances.
• Inclusion of "movement" performers: SAG-AFTRA wants to ensure that performers who provide movement data are covered under the generative AI agreement.
• Terminology for AI-generated performances: SAG-AFTRA proposes "real-time generation," while the bargaining group suggests "procedural generation," a term with different connotations in the gaming industry.
• Disclosure requirements: The guild is pushing for employers to disclose if an actor's voice will be blended with others for a digital replica, and whether it will be used for real-time chatbots or scripted dialogue.
• Consent during strikes: SAG-AFTRA proposes that consent for digital replica use be withdrawn during strikes, while employers wish to continue using them, even on struck games.
• Duration of consent for real-time generation: SAG-AFTRA suggests a five-year limit, requiring renewal, whereas the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.
• Compensation for digital replicas: There are numerous disagreements on minimum pay for digital replica creation and use, though tentative agreement has been reached on bonus pay calculations.
• Bonus rights for employers: The bargaining group proposes a system similar to the TV/Film agreement, which SAG-AFTRA finds too broad and potentially circumventing union rights.
• Tracking digital replica usage: SAG-AFTRA wants a system to monitor digital replica use to ensure fair compensation, but the bargaining group deems this unfeasible.
• Definitions and regulations for "synthetic" performers: There are specific points of contention regarding AI-generated characters.

Despite these differences, tentative agreements have been reached on several other matters, including bonus pay, dispute resolution, certain aspects of minimum compensation, consent requirements, and specific disclosures to performers. However, SAG-AFTRA has expressed concerns that the bargaining employers are misrepresenting the closeness of a deal to members.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, emphasized the importance of solidarity among members, warning against taking roles that undermine the strike and expose performers to AI misuse without protections.

In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, highlighted their proposed deal, which includes over 15% wage increases, enhanced health and safety protections, and additional compensation for AI digital replicas used in other games. They expressed eagerness to continue negotiations to reach an agreement.

The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, now in its eighth month, was initiated due to disagreements on AI provisions, despite 24 out of 25 other contract proposals being agreed upon. The impact of the strike is becoming evident in the industry, with reports of unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, and voice actor replacements in games like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Most recently, two voice actors for Zenless Zone Zero discovered their replacement through the game's latest patch notes.