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SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike against some of the biggest companies in the gaming industry since July 26, 2024. This was over AI protections, as many performers rightfully fear that their work is being used to develop AI voice acting, and ultimately, steal job opportunities. In practice, it’s resulted in Activision, EA, Epic, Disney, Warner Bros., Insomniac, Take-Two, and more being unable to access union talent.
But now, the end is in sight. SAG-AFTRA has announced that a tentative agreement has been reached with these companies regarding the use of AI voice acting. We don’t have the details just yet, and they have not been finalised, but should everything go ahead, then the end of the strike could be with us soon.
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative AI Agreement With The Gaming Industry
«It is expected the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon,» reads a statement put out by SAG-AFTRA. «Until such agreement is reached, however, SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike against these employers.»
Despite this, SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, sounds optimistic. «Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike,» he says. «Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary AI guardrails.»
As previously mentioned, we don’t know what these guardrails will actually entail. However, performers have previously told me that their work was being used to train AI tech without their permission, so it’s possible that companies will now be compelled to gain consent before doing this. SAG-AFTRA also launched a complaint against Epic for rolling out AI Darth Vader without consulting them first, so that could also be part of the agreement.
We’ll have to wait and see if these are the protections that actors are after. In the meantime, the strike continues, so the performers haven’t returned to the recording booths just yet.
