The 118-day strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has officially come to an end after reaching a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios. The union announced that it was able to secure a contract “valued at over 1 billion dollars” and negotiated “above-pattern” compensation increases, as well as “unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI.”
In a tweet, SAG-AFTRA stated, “In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes ‘above-pattern’ minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI…” The union will release more details about the agreement after its national board reviews and considers it on Friday.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) became the sticking point in negotiations, preventing both parties from reaching an agreement earlier. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) wanted to make AI scans of Schedule F performers—union members earning more than $32,000 per TV episode or $60,000 per film—which they could then reuse without having to compensate the performers. Furthermore, the studios could continue using the actors’ likeness after they passed away without permission from the union or their estate. This issue was the primary concern for SAG-AFTRA during the negotiations.
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, AMPTP has agreed to adjust the language used for AI in its proposal, which likely led to the tentative agreement. The union was able to secure protection for its members against the threat of AI use without their consent or proper compensation.
Related Post
The issue of AI use was also significant for the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which ended its strike in September after securing a deal with AI provisions it approved of. Under the terms of its new contract, studios can’t use generative AI to write or rewrite literary material, and anything it produces cannot be considered source material. Furthermore, studios can’t force writers to use generative AI software unless they choose to do so, and they must disclose whether materials given to a writer include anything generated by AI. Finally, the exploitation of writers’ material to train AI is explicitly prohibited. This agreement sets a precedent for addressing the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
The resolution of these strikes highlights the growing importance of including protections against AI use in labor agreements for entertainment industry workers. As AI technology continues to evolve and become more prevalent in various aspects of entertainment production, it is essential for unions and industry stakeholders to address the potential implications of AI on their members and their work.
The efforts of SAG-AFTRA and WGA in securing AI protections in their contracts are significant and demonstrate the importance of addressing emerging technology in labor negotiations. By advocating for these protections, the unions are not only safeguarding their members’ rights but also setting a precedent for addressing AI use in the industry. As technology continues to evolve, it will be essential for unions and industry stakeholders to continue developing policies that protect workers from potential exploitation and ensure fair compensation for their work, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the entertainment industry.
