SAG-AFTRA voice acting deal with AI company sparks backlash from blindsided members
-
SAG-AFTRA unveiled a licensing deal with AI company Replica Studios to create digital replicas of actors' voices for use in video games. The union says it ensures consent and compensation.
-
Some prominent voice actors like Steve Blum and Shelby Young expressed fury, saying they were "blindsided" and that "nobody" approved the deal.
-
Voice actor Andrew Russell referred to the agreement as "garbage," while Veronica Taylor questioned why there wasn't a membership vote.
-
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher touted the deal as an example of "AI being done right."
-
This comes after SAG-AFTRA ended a 118-day strike with studios over compensation and future royalty payments, including for AI uses.