The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently provided an update to its members regarding the ongoing negotiations with the video game industry over protections against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for actors. While some progress has been achieved, SAG-AFTRA acknowledges that the gap between their proposals and those of the industry bargaining group, which includes representatives from major AAA gaming companies, remains significant on several key issues.

SAG-AFTRA has released a chart highlighting the disparities between their proposals and those of the bargaining group. Key points of contention include:

• Protection from the use of digital replicas or generative AI for all past and future work, not just work produced after the agreement date.
• A precise definition of "digital replica," with SAG-AFTRA advocating for any performance, vocal or movement, that is "readily identifiable or attributable to" a performer. In contrast, the bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," which SAG-AFTRA argues could exclude many performances.
• Inclusion of "movement" performers in the generative AI agreement.
• The use of the term "real-time generation" for AI-created performances, opposed to the bargaining group's "procedural generation," which SAG-AFTRA claims has a different meaning in gaming.
• Disclosure requirements regarding blending voices for digital replicas and using voices for real-time chatbots versus scripted dialogue.
• SAG-AFTRA's proposal to withdraw consent for digital replica use during strikes, while employers want to continue using them, including on games affected by strikes.
• The duration of consent for real-time generation, with SAG-AFTRA proposing five years and the bargaining group seeking unlimited consent.
• Compensation levels for digital replica creation and use, where the two sides have several disagreements but have tentatively agreed on bonus pay calculations.
• A proposal from the bargaining group, similar to a SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, granting employers additional rights if they pay a premium, which SAG-AFTRA finds too broad and potentially circumventing union rights.
• SAG-AFTRA's desire for a tracking system to monitor digital replica usage to ensure fair compensation, which the bargaining group deems unfeasible.
• Specific definitions and regulations for "synthetic" performers created entirely by generative AI.

Despite these disagreements, the chart also indicates tentative agreements on various other matters, including bonus pay, dispute resolution, elements of minimum compensation, consent requirements, and certain disclosures to performers. However, SAG-AFTRA remains concerned that the employers are misleading members about the proximity to a deal, a sentiment echoed by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, in a letter to members. He highlighted the pressure on employers due to the ongoing strike, urging members not to undermine the collective effort by accepting roles without adequate AI protections.

In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, emphasized their proposed deal, which includes over 15% wage increases for SAG-AFTRA represented performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading terms for AI digital replicas, expressing eagerness to return to negotiations.

The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, now in its eighth month, was sparked primarily by disputes over AI provisions, despite agreements on 24 out of 25 other contract proposals. The strike's impact is becoming increasingly visible in the gaming industry, with players noting unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. SAG-AFTRA also took action against Riot Games over League of Legends and Activision for recasting characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Most recently, voice actors for Zenless Zone Zero discovered their replacement through patch notes.