The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently announced an AI-voice agreement that has sparked outrage among industry veterans. Despite the union’s claim that the agreement was approved by members of the voiceover performer community, many actors feel that their voices were not heard.
The agreement, made with Replica Studios, aims to provide protections tailored to AI technology, allowing professional voiceover artists to explore new job opportunities for their digital voice replicas in video game development and other interactive media projects.
The use of artificial intelligence has been a contentious issue for voice actors, with SAG-AFTRA itself approving a strike in 2023 partly due to concerns about exploitative AI. Given this history, the community’s negative response to the recent agreement is not surprising.
Prominent voice actor Steve Blum, known for his roles in Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins, expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement on Twitter, stating that nobody in the community approved of it. Many other voice industry professionals echoed his sentiment.
The primary concern among critics is the lack of information available regarding the agreement and the process leading up to it. There is uncertainty whether this decision signifies a genuine departure from the union’s previous stance or simply a failure in communication.
SAG-AFTRA is a major union representing a wide range of talent in the industry. While one perspective argues that AI-generated work is already prevalent and the union’s protections allow voice actors to continue profiting from their work, others believe that industry regulations can still address the impact of AI. The examples provided by Replica Studios have been met with criticism and are unlikely to compete with the quality of work done by human voice actors.
Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that AI-generated art and voices are continuously improving, and it is possible that AI will have a more significant role in the future. SAG-AFTRA’s proposed AI-licensing future might be seen as the only viable choice for actors. However, the lack of consultation with prominent industry professionals is concerning.
While the industry grapples with the implications of AI technology, it is crucial to find a balance between technological advancements and preserving the livelihoods of human actors. SAG-AFTRA’s agreement with Replica Studios may pave the way for other companies to follow suit, but it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the voice acting community in the long run.
