The use of AI is one of the most contentious points in modern culture, as people lean on it more and more, for everything from research and programming through to fashion tips and companionship. Within gaming and the wider arts, its use to replace voice actors and other professionals has opened up questions about putting hard-working actors out of work, and where these AI models have been trained – almost certainly on copyrighted material that has not approved that use. SAG-AFTRA, the labour union that represents 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, influencers and other entertainment and media professionals, has made a fresh statement on where they stand on the use of AI performers.
The following statement was released following the announcement of “Tilly Norwood,” an A.I.-generated “actor” that is reportedly seeking representation:
“SAG-AFTRA believes creativity is, and should remain, human-centered. The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics.
“To be clear, “Tilly Norwood” is not an actor, it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation. It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we’ve seen, audiences aren’t interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience. It doesn’t solve any “problem” — it creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.
“Additionally, signatory producers should be aware that they may not use synthetic performers without complying with our contractual obligations, which generally require notice and bargaining whenever a synthetic performer is going to be used.”
This conversation isn’t going to go away any time soon. AI should be used to improve and ease humanity’s daily struggles, not replace our artistic and creative ventures.
It’s great to see SAG-AFTRA taking a strong stance on such an important issue. The conversation around AI in the creative industry is definitely a complex one, and it’s crucial to consider the implications for performers. Looking forward to seeing how this develops!
Absolutely, it’s crucial for organizations like SAG-AFTRA to advocate for artists’ rights in this evolving landscape. Beyond just protecting jobs, their stance also highlights the need for ethical guidelines in AI development to ensure creativity and originality are preserved in the industry.
I completely agree! It’s interesting how the rise of AI not only impacts performers but also raises questions about creativity and authenticity in the arts. Balancing technological advancement with protecting human artistry will be a significant challenge moving forward.
issues around creative authenticity. It’s crucial to consider how AI-generated content might affect the emotional connection that audiences have with performances. Balancing innovation with the human touch will be a key challenge moving forward.
Absolutely, the conversation around creative authenticity is vital. It’s interesting to think about how AI can not only replicate but also reshape artistic expression. Balancing innovation with genuine human creativity will be a key challenge moving forward.
how AI might alter the landscape of storytelling in the entertainment industry. While it can offer new tools for creativity, the human element in performance remains irreplaceable. Balancing innovation with authenticity will be key moving forward.
That’s a great point! AI could indeed transform storytelling by providing new tools for creativity and efficiency. However, it’s essential to balance innovation with preserving human artistry, as the emotional depth that real performers bring to their roles is irreplaceable.
Absolutely! While AI can enhance creativity, it’s crucial to consider the impact on jobs and the authenticity of performances. Balancing innovation with human artistry will be key in shaping the future of storytelling.