Hollywood is witnessing a significant labor movement as video game voice actors and motion-capture performers go on strike at Warner Bros. Studios, protesting the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their professions. This strike follows months of intense negotiations with leading video game companies, including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s WB Games.
Hollywood Strike Artificial Intelligence Threatens Voice Actors and Performers
The focal point of the Hollywood strike over artificial intelligence is the use of AI technology, which actors claim threatens their careers. “The models they’re using have been trained on our voices without our consent and with no compensation,” said Leeanna Albanese, voice actor for “Persona 5 Tactica” and strike captain, during a picket at Warner Bros. Games. This unauthorized use of AI has sparked fears of job displacement among professionals who lend their voices and movements to video games.
Background of the Hollywood Strike Artificial Intelligence Concerns
The decision to strike was not taken lightly. It came after protracted negotiations over labor contracts, specifically targeting AI-related protections for workers. The actors and performers aim to safeguard their roles and ensure fair compensation in an industry increasingly leaning towards AI. The Hollywood strike over artificial intelligence represents a critical juncture in the industry’s approach to emerging technologies.
Impact on Major Video Game Publishers Amid Hollywood Strike Artificial Intelligence Issues
Despite the Hollywood strike over artificial intelligence, industry analysts believe that major publishers like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive may not face immediate setbacks. These companies often rely on in-house studios and operate on lengthy game development cycles, which could buffer them from the strike’s short-term impacts.
A Broader Call for AI Regulation in Hollywood
This Hollywood strike over artificial intelligence is not an isolated event but part of a larger movement within Hollywood. There is growing advocacy for laws that protect industry professionals from the risks posed by AI. The NO FAKES Act, a bipartisan bill in Congress, seeks to make it illegal to create AI replicas of individuals’ likenesses and voices without permission. This bill has garnered support from various organizations, including the SAG-AFTRA performers union, the Motion Picture Association, The Recording Academy, and Disney.
Widespread Support for AI Regulations Amid Hollywood Strike Artificial Intelligence Concerns
Prominent figures in entertainment and politics, such as Grammy-winning artist Taylor Swift and Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasize the urgency of addressing AI-related issues. “Everybody in this country needs protection from the abusive use of AI,” stated Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, underscoring the necessity of robust legal frameworks to safeguard individuals against AI misuse.
As Hollywood navigates this technological shift, the outcome of the Hollywood strike over artificial intelligence and legislative efforts will likely shape the future of AI’s role in entertainment, influencing policies and practices industry-wide.
