AI war in video games: Actors strike to protect jobs

Hollywood actors go on strike against big video game companies over how they use AI. Concerns have been raised by performers that generative AI could be used to copy their looks and voices.

Hollywood actors are going on strike against big video game companies like Warner Bros., Walt Disney , and Activision over the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

It comes after the companies and a union representing more than 2,500 video game performers talked about a new deal for almost a year and a half. They say they agree on a number of important points, including pay and job safety. However, protections for AI technology use are still a big problem.

The strike was called by the Screen stars Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra). Last year, a strike by movie and TV stars shut down Hollywood. The performers are afraid that gaming studios will use generative AI to reuse their voices and looks to make animated video game characters without paying them enough.

SAG-AFTRA Calls for Action

A statement from Sag-Aftra said, “We’re not going to sign a contract that lets companies abuse AI against our members.”

The video game companies, on the other hand, say they have already given in enough to what the union wants. The video game producers who were in talks with Sag-Aftra said, “We are disappointed that the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal.”

The previous deal, which did not protect AI, was set to end in November 2022 but has been stretched every month while talks continue. In the US, TV and movie actors went on strike last year and won $1bn (£790m) in new pay and perks, as well as limits on how AI can be used. The two-month strike was the longest in the union’s 90-year history.