A Standoff Over Artificial Intelligence Protections

The video game actor strike has entered its second week, and there appears to be no progress in returning to the bargaining table. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing approximately 160,000 actors, performers, and other professionals across the entertainment industry, walked away from negotiations with several video game publishers over what they deemed unacceptable terms regarding the use of artificial intelligence in video game productions. The strike began on Friday, July 26.

The Core of the Dispute

According to SAG-AFTRA Chief Contract Officer Ray Rodriguez, the stalemate stemmed from the limited protections against AI offered by video game studios, which extended them to only some actors. He noted that "there are multiple open issues on AI."

Rodriguez explained, "Some of the most significant issues have to do with the scope of the protection afforded.

Until Wednesday of last week, the producers' position was explicit that they were only interested in offering these protections to voice performers and not on-camera performers."

The Scope of Impact

The video game industry also utilizes stunt, movement, and creature performers whose voices are not necessarily involved in the production. These actors are being left out.

The strike affects significant video game producers, such as Activision Productions, Electronic Arts Productions, Epic Games, and Warner Bros. Games.

Rodriguez said the contract now offered by game publishers provided some protections for on-camera performers, but with exceptions that undermine these protections for both on-camera and voice actors.

"Performers are sort of the canary in the coal mine in many ways, in that it just goes so directly to how they make their living," Rodriguez emphasized.

The Broader Implications

Rodriguez said SAG-AFTRA's fight against the unauthorized use of its members' likenesses is linked to much more significant issues, which include AI-generated deep fakes and misinformation spread using AI.

He added, "Frankly, it's a danger to everyone if [AI recreations] can be done freely. We can't trust what we see and hear anymore because we don't know if we're listening to -- or watching -- the actual person or someone programming a computer to look and sound like that. This is a real existential problem for performers, but it's an existential problem for all of us."

Video Game Publishers' Response

Video game publishers, meanwhile, expressed disappointment that SAG-AFTRA decided to walk away from the table and said they remain prepared to resume negotiations.

"We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions," a spokesperson for the video game producers said.

"Our offer directly responds to SAG-AFTRA's concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that require consent and fair compensation to all performers. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry," the spokesperson added.

Historical Context

Last year, union members took to the picket lines after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) over the use of generative AI collapsed, grinding Hollywood productions to a halt.

In November, the SAG-AFTRA actor's strike ended with new AI protections in place. Only some were happy, however. In January, voice actors complained that a deal between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios did not allow members to vote on the proposal, with some saying voice actors should leave SAG-AFTRA and start their union.

Rodriguez said that despite the ongoing strike, SAG-AFTRA is also ready to resume talks.

"Negotiations don't stop just because you're on strike—in fact, the only way to come off of strike is to reach a negotiated resolution," Rodriguez said.

"So we're open to that. We're ready, willing, and able to continue bargaining here, and I hope it will happen sooner rather than later."