SAG-AFTRA Reaches Groundbreaking AI Voice Agreement With Replica Studios

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently announced a groundbreaking agreement with Replica Studios, an artificial intelligence (AI) voice technology company.

This landmark deal, unveiled on Jan. 9th, has paved the way for using AI voices in video games, reshaping the interactive media landscape.

Licensing Voices for AAA Video Games and Interactive Projects

Under this momentous agreement, Replica Studios can create and license digital replicas of actors protected by SAG-AFTRA. These licensed voices can be utilized in AAA video games and other interactive media projects throughout the production process, from pre-production to final release.

Guaranteeing Fairness and Consent for Performers

Cointelegraph noted that apart from ensuring the minimum terms and conditions, the agreement provides performers with the crucial right to consent and negotiate with the AI company. Furthermore, they hold the power to make decisions about the continued use of their voices in new projects, adds Silicon Republic.

SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, emphasizes that the union has accomplished its goals regarding fully informed consent and fair compensation for using their members' voices and performances.

However, not all members of the acting community are pleased with this announcement. Some actors argue that they prefer to act on record rather than give away samples of their voices. Others have raised concerns about the lack of details in the SAG-AFTRA press release and the absence of a voting process during the deal confirmation.

This is not the first time SAG-AFTRA has ventured into agreements concerning AI. In November 2023, the union reached a significant deal with major film studios regarding creating and using "digital replicas" of performers.

Despite an 86% confirmation vote within SAG-AFTRA, the agreement has also sparked mixed reactions within the acting community. Similarly, the Writer's Guild of America ended its strike in September 2023 with a deal that limits studio leverage to force screenwriters into using AI.

Photo: SAG-AFTRA Press Center