US actors union puts limits on AI in its agreement after the strike

From computer-generated “extras” to zombie “zombies” artificial intelligence: he American union of actors established new restrictions against the use of AI in hollywood.

He Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) reached an agreement this week with studios such as disney and Netflix to end their almost four-month strike. 86% of its board members voted in favor of ratifying the agreement.

In addition to a minimum salary increase of 7% and a new fund of 40 million dollars annually to transfer a portion of the income from successful series from studios to actorsa key element of the negotiations were the barriers to the use of the AI.

The agreement “allows the industry to move forward, it does not block the AI”Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA negotiator, declared at a press conference.

“But it guarantees the protection of artists. Your rights to consent are protected. Your rights to fair compensation and your employment rights are protected”, he assured.

Studies have been experimenting with the AI In recent years, since bringing back Movie stars deceased using “digital replicas” realistic, to using computer-generated background figures to reduce the number of actors needed for battle scenes.

Many cost-cutting producers want the AI play an increasingly important role, and have begun to require some actors to participate in “body scanners” 3D high technology on set, often without explaining how or when the images will be used.

But now, an actor must receive the same compensation for any use of his digital replica as he would have earned making the same one.”amount of work” on stage in real life, Crabtree-Ireland said.

Fearing that the “extras” will be the first to lose their jobs at the hands of the AIstrict restrictions have been put in place.

“A digital replica may not be used to circumvent the hiring and payment of a supporting actor under this contractCrabtree-Ireland added.

Studios must obtain the consent of an actor – or their heirs – every time their digital replica is used in a film or television episode.

They cannot present to actors standard contracts that authorize them to use a replica in perpetuity, but must provide a “reasonably specific description” of how it will be used each time.

Zombies

The technology of artificial intelligence advances at a dizzying pace, but it had never before been part of the debates when the SAG-AFTRA It renegotiates its contract with the studios approximately every three years.

The president of SAG-AFTRAFran Drescher, said that it was vital to specify the rules this time, because “in the world of AIthree months equals one year”.

“So if we don’t get those barricades. What would it be in three years?… It would be so out of our reach that we would always be chasing something, but we would never end up achieving it.”he explained.

The last controversial detail that was discussed with the studios on Tuesday night concerned the use of the AI to create “synthetic fake actors.” Called by the specialized magazine Variety as “zombies” or “digital Frankensteins,” they are constructed from different body parts of real actors.

“If you use the smile of Brad Pitt and the eyes of Jennifer Anistonboth have the right to give their consent“Crabtree-Ireland explained to that medium. At Friday’s press conference she explained that studios are now required to obtain permission from all actors whose features are used.

They must also inform SAG-AFTRA each time a “fake synthetic actor”. He labor union will have the right to negotiate compensation on behalf of the actors involved.

Decisive factor

Drescher said that AI was a “deciding factor” in the negotiations, and that the barriers will not only help actors, but also many other professions in the entertainment industry.

“In a synthetic world, there is no need for hairdressers or makeup artists. No drivers needed. No set designers needed”he explained. “Therefore, for us, continuing to wait for the best package of artificial intelligence possible would also have an impact on their future“, said.

Crabtree-Ireland urged politicians to do more to “make protection AI a priority”. “Our members will advocate for legislative efforts and continue to actively participate in the movement to protect the image rights of all people.“, he claimed.

With information from Andrew Marzal