Voice Actors Slam Union Deal Allowing AI Use of Their Voices Without Consent
• Voice actors criticize SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, for striking a deal with AI company Replica Studios to allow video game developers to use digital replicas of actors' voices.
• SAG-AFTRA claims the deal was approved by affected members, but many prominent voice actors take to social media stating they were not informed or did not approve.
• The deal comes amid tense negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies over compensation and AI voice usage protections.
• Voice actors argue the deal enables their replacement by AI, threatens their livelihood, and sets a "slippery slope" precedent of AI replication without consent.
• The controversy mirrors recent debates over AI protections in Hollywood screen actors' contract negotiations, with some actors warning of loopholes and unintended consequences.