AI voices in video games: Actors' union SAG-AFTRA signs deal
The contract with the tech company Replica enables actors and voice actors to licence their voice as a digital replica to game studios. At the same time, it provides them with a common basis as a protective measure.
The US actors' union SAG-AFTRA has signed a contract with the tech company Replica at CES. This deal could pave the way for AI voices in video games. After licensing an AI voice through Replica, game companies can use an AI version of it in video games. A news article on the SAG-AFTRA website states:
This agreement is an important step towards the ethical use of AI voices in creative projects by game developers and lays the foundation for the fair and equitable employment of voice actors in the exploration of new revenue streams through AI."
The agreement comes at a time when Hollywood is still struggling with the use of AI. Last year, following a month-long strike, SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with Hollywood studios to protect actors from the use of AI. For example, the studios must now pay actors and, above all, obtain their consent before an AI-generated version can be used.
What does the agreement include?
The new agreement is said to be in a similar framework. According to SAG-AFTRA, it includes, for example, the setting of a minimum fee for the use of an AI voice. In any case, the consent of the person concerned is required. There must also be the option to withdraw consent to the use of the voice in future works.
All in all, SAG-AFTRA speaks in consistently positive terms of a "fair and ethical agreement". The agreement was approved by the "affected members of the union's speaker community". However, there was apparently no concrete vote.
First criticism of the deal from the ranks of voice actors
In an article from IGN, however, the first negative voices from the ranks of dubbing actors and actresses are already being raised about this agreement. Many are pointing out that they are strictly against companies using their voices or even creating AI versions - regardless of any conditions. Others complain that they never had the opportunity to vote on these results.
Classification of the agreement by the chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's chief negotiator, explained the intention of the agreement in more detail in a commentary. The agreement is not a comprehensive regulation of how AI, companies and voice actors will interact in the future. Rather, it is a very specific agreement with Replica that actors can enter into if they wish. In doing so, they can utilise the agreed protective measures. In addition, there are overarching discussions with other companies about AI protection measures, according to Crabtree-Ireland.
Cover photo: Walter Cicchetti / Shutterstock
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