Exploring SAG-AFTRA's Triumph with Sarah Elmaleh - Podcast Episode 51 on Our Site
New Interactive Media Agreement Sets Ethical Guidelines for AI Use in Gaming
A groundbreaking agreement has been reached between SAG-AFTRA and major gaming studios such as Activision Blizzard, EA, and Take-Two. The new Interactive Media Agreement, signed earlier this month, includes specific terms and conditions regarding the use of generative AI and digital replicas of performers to protect against unauthorized use and AI abuse.
The agreement emphasizes transparency, performer control, enhanced compensation, and limits on digital replica manipulation within interactive media projects.
Key points of the agreement include:
- Consent and disclosure: Performers must receive a detailed description of how their digital replica will be used at least 48 hours before such use, and they must provide clear and conspicuous written consent through a Digital Replica Rider or separate signed agreement.
- Restrictions on altered use: Any use outside the original agreed scope or involving changes to the performer’s physical characteristics (like hair color, mouth movements, voice) or depicting them nude requires additional written consent beyond the initial agreement.
- Compensation: For each commercial or interactive media featuring a digital replica performing in place of the performer, the minimum pay is 1.5 times the applicable scale session fee, plus use and holding fees at scale.
- Right to suspend consent: Performers have the ability to suspend consent for the use of AI-generated new material, providing them control over unauthorized exploitation through AI reproduction.
- Safety guardrails: The agreement institutes general safeguards to prevent AI misuse and protect performers from potential AI overreach or unauthorized replication.
This framework establishes ethical guidelines and financial protections for performers regarding generative AI usage in video games and interactive media, addressing central concerns that contributed to the prior strike. While studios are increasingly adopting AI tools for game development, this agreement balances innovation with performer rights.
The new terms are a significant step forward for performers seeking control over their data and how it's used in the digital age.
The our website Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast focusing on game development, is hosted by Bryant Francis and edited by Pierre Landriau. Mike Meehan provides music for the podcast. Sarah Elmaleh, actor and SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Negotiating Committee chair, discussed her experience during the three-year ordeal on the podcast this week. Elmaleh is also featured on the our website Podcast.
The new agreement officially ends an 11-month strike and three years of bargaining. The our website can be followed on Bluesky and LinkedIn. Sarah Elmaleh can also be followed on Bluesky.
- The Interactive Media Agreement, signed by SAG-AFTRA and major gaming studios, includes guidelines for the use of artificial-intelligence and gadgets like digital replicas, ensuring performers' approval and fair compensation, as well as safeguards against AI misuse.
- Under the new agreement, performers have the right to control their digital replicas, including AI-generated materials, and receive enhanced compensation for their use in video games and interactive media, a significant leap forward in the protection of performers' data rights in the era of technology.
