SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Show Promise as Video Game Companies Begin to Agree on AI Protections

The ongoing negotiations involving SAG-AFTRA, the prominent union for actors and voice performers in the United States, show positive developments. The organization is striving to secure adequate protections relating to artificial intelligence from video game companies, and initial reports indicate significant progress.

Recent updates reveal that approximately 80 companies have agreed to the proposed terms, suggesting that the ongoing strikes by voice and motion capture actors could be coming to an end soon. These strikes commenced on July 26 of this year, aimed at establishing new contracts and temporary agreements necessary for resuming work in the sector, although they may not resolve every concern that had been anticipated.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the lead negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, expressed support for the video game companies that have come forward to sign tiered-budget and temporary agreements. This demonstrates a commitment not only to the welfare of their workforce but also to safeguarding the essential human creativity and artistry that underpins interactive storytelling. While this marks an encouraging advancement, the strikes are set to persist, as key industry players have yet to endorse the agreements, as noted by GameSpot.