Television and film actors have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract with major studios and streaming services, securing significant protections against the use of artificial intelligence to create synthetic performers.
The agreement, negotiated by union leaders last month, was approved by members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
The ratification was widely anticipated, with negotiations proceeding without the industrial action that plagued the entertainment industry in 2023. Over 90 per cent of votes cast by union members endorsed the deal, with approximately 19 per cent of eligible voters participating.
Similar to the Writers Guild of America, which approved its own contract in April, the actors’ new agreement spans four years instead of the customary three, providing an additional layer of stability for the industry.
Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, stated that the contract “delivers meaningful gains in compensation, strengthens protections around artificial intelligence and digital identity, reinforces the long-term security of members’ benefit plans and recognizes the realities of how performers work today.”
A key provision in the contract stipulates that AI performers must offer “significant additional value” over a live actor or a digital capture of them for producers to utilise them. Union leaders believe this and other clauses will ensure the use of AI actors remains minimal.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing Hollywood’s major studios, streamers, and production companies, congratulated the union on the ratification.
The alliance commented that “SAG-AFTRA’s leadership brought a genuine commitment to partnership, and together with the WGA agreement, these deals demonstrate what is possible when the industry works toward practical solutions.”
The AMPTP is currently engaged in contract talks with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), led by new president Christopher Nolan, with their current agreement set to expire on 30 June.
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