Gaming Industry Faces Second Strike as AI Protections Become ‘Sticking Point’
For the second time in a decade, voice and motion capture performers in the video game industry have initiated a work stoppage. After 18 months of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and major gaming companies like Activision, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive, the union’s members working in the video game sector have gone on strike. The key issue at hand is the lack of artificial intelligence (AI) protections, with the union expressing concerns about companies potentially exploiting AI to replace their members’ work.
In a statement on its website, SAG-AFTRA made it clear that it will not consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of its members. Union president Fran Drescher emphasized that until the gaming companies take the issue seriously and offer an agreement that the members can live and work with, negotiations will remain at a standstill.
On the other side of the argument, gaming companies claim that the AI terms proposed by SAG-AFTRA are some of the strongest in the entertainment industry. According to a spokesperson for the gaming companies, 24 out of 25 contract proposals have been agreed upon, leaving AI as the final obstacle to overcome.
Although specific details about the contract language are not public, the issue of AI and its impact on the arts is not new. Voice actors and motion capture performers fear that their work could be used to train AI models, leading to the replacement of their labor. The Washington Post highlights the potential negative impact on young performers trying to break into the industry, as AI could potentially take over the background and non-player character roles typically given to newcomers. Interestingly, SAG-AFTRA had previously struck a side deal with an AI company earlier this year, indicating that the union is not fundamentally opposed to AI.
This is not the first time SAG-AFTRA’s gaming workers have gone on strike. In 2016, voice actors initiated a work stoppage that lasted almost a year, primarily centered around issues such as bonuses, royalties, and worker safety. With the current strike revolving around the rapidly developing technology of AI, it may take considerable time for both sides to reach an agreement.
In conclusion, the ongoing strike in the gaming industry highlights the growing concerns surrounding AI and its potential impact on labor. While the gaming companies argue that their AI terms are strong, SAG-AFTRA believes that stronger protections are necessary to prevent the abuse of AI technology. As the negotiations continue, the fate of voice and motion capture performers in the gaming industry hangs in the balance, with their livelihoods potentially at stake.
