A landmark four-year deal between SAG-AFTRA, the powerful union representing actors, announcers, and other entertainment professionals, and major Hollywood studios has been reached, marking a significant shift in the industry’s relationship with artificial intelligence.
The deal, which covers over 160,000 members, includes unprecedented protections for actors facing AI-generated doppelgangers. Under the agreement, studios will be required to provide actors with notice and a chance to opt out of projects featuring AI-generated performances that could potentially harm their career. This move is seen as a major victory for SAG-AFTRA, which has been vocal about the need for regulations to address the impact of AI on the industry.
The deal also merges two separate pension plans, creating a single, more sustainable fund that will benefit current and future members. This change is expected to save the union millions of dollars in administrative costs and provide more consistent benefits to its members. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for increased residuals from streaming services, which will provide a welcome boost to actors who have seen their income decline in recent years.