Video Game Performers Go on a Strike over AI

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation continues to rise discussion, this time touching the major video game studios, including Warner Bros, Activision, and Walt Disney. Today Hollywood performers are going on a strike announced by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The strike follows a year-long negotiations between the game developers and the union, representing 2500+ Hollywood performers. Their primary concern is that the companies may abuse their AI-generated appearances and voices to create game characters without fair compensation.

SAG-AFTRA is the organization behind the longest US actors’ strike in history, which took place last year. The 118-day shutdown significantly postponed TV and movie production, and the damage to California’s economy was evaluated at some $6.5 billion. However, it helped the union negotiate  $1 billion in new payouts and benefits for the actors, and secure some AI technology protections.

The strike of video game performers is starting on Friday, July 2024. We will continue following the news to see if SAG-AFTRA manages to safeguard the agreements against AI exploits in the industry. However, we can be sure that fast AI development and its wider application is going to trigger further argument between content creators.

by Alex