Video game players strike against artificial intelligence
Major video game makers – such as Activision, Warner Bros and Walt Disney – are facing a strike by Hollywood artists over their use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The move comes after a year and a half of negotiations over a new contract between the companies and a union representing more than 2,500 video game players.
The two sides said they had agreed on some key issues, such as wages and job security, but protections around the use of AI technology remained a major hurdle.
The strike was called by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra), Last year paralyzed Hollywood with a strike by film and television actors..
Performers are concerned about game studios using AI to recreate their voices and appearances to animate video game characters without paying them fair wages.
“Despite reaching agreement on many issues… the employers refused to explicitly state, in clear and enforceable language, that they would protect all performers covered by this contract in their AI language,” Sag-Aftra said in a statement.
“We will not approve a contract that allows companies to misuse AI to the detriment of our members,” the statement added.
However, video game makers say they have made enough concessions to the union’s demands.
“We are disappointed that the union has chosen to walk away when we were so close to a deal,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokeswoman for the 10 video game makers negotiating with Sag-Aftra.
“Our proposal directly responds to Sag-Aftra’s concerns and expands meaningful AI protections including requiring consent and fair compensation for all performers working under [Interactive Media Agreement]”, she added.
Interactive media agreements apply to artists who provide voiceover services and on-camera work used to create video game characters.
The most recent agreement, which does not provide AI protections, is set to expire in November 2022 but has been extended monthly while negotiations continue.
Last year, TV and film actors in the US have won $1bn (£790m) in new salaries and benefitsas well as protections when using AI, following a strike organized by Sag-Aftra.
The 118-day shutdown was the longest in the league’s 90-year history.
Combined with a separate writers’ strike, the actions have severely disrupted film and television production and cost the California economy more than $6.5 billion, according to entertainment industry publication Deadline.
