Skip to main content

Actors' Angle: SAG-AFTRA & Artificial Intelligence

 One of the most specific concerns in the SAG-AFTRA strike is the use of AI. In this case, the use of technology to mimic an actor's face, body, voice, etc. To actors in the strike, this causes concern in terms of job opportunities. There have been dozens of creative works projecting the "what-if" factor of artificial intelligence seemingly taking over the world. It may not be as Terminator-esque as an issue of robots with laser guns, but it does threaten the actors who put in the work to bring entertainment to us every day.  "...it's unlikely that the writers who penned those sci-fi scripts, or the actors giving soul to a machine, ever thought that AI might represent a serious threat to their livelihoods," (Lawler, 2023). 

The issue from the perspective of law lies within the actors' likeness. Their features, uniqueness, and talent, are all at threat when AI can generate and animate these individuals and take from them what they gave the industry. While there aren't years and years of history with artificial intelligence as it's still considered a newer issue, at its core it's an easy issue to understand if you see it through the lens of an artist wanting to own their art, and having it copied without proper due credit is guaranteed to ruffle feathers. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Part One: Perspectives on the Issue

Introduction to the Issue The ongoing investigation focuses on the SAG-AFTRA strike and how it relates to the free speech and free press clause of the U.S. Constitution. With the entertainment industry increasingly embracing AI technologies, concerns about job stability, ethical technology usage, and the limits of free speech become prominent. This presents a distinctive challenge as technological progress clashes with established media standards and worker rights. From the perspective of an AI developer, the inclusion of artificial intelligence in media production provokes discussions regarding the boundaries of free speech within the context of the digital age. Developers may maintain that AI serves as a means to enhance creativity and expression, thus aligning with the principles of free speech. Nevertheless, there are valid concerns regarding how these technologies are utilized and their potential ramifications. If a SAG-AFTRA member is confronted with a strike, their primary conce...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ivan Camey - Bio

 Hello, I'm Ivan Camey, a Chicano writer. I am half Guatemalan and half Mexican, I love movies, video games, art, and my heritage. Ever since I was a teenager, I wanted to write about my experience as a Chicano born from an immigrant family. This goal powers my furnace because I lacked representation when I was younger, so I want to give that to the generations after me. Although I also want to make some interesting stories, what's most important is that my success will inspire the future. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Teams Overall Assessment

 Cooper: The SAG-AFTRA strike exposes underlying issues in the entertainment industry. I am more opposed to using AI in this context because it exploits performers' rights and undermines artistic integrity. The proposal to use AI to manipulate performers' likenesses without consent raises ethical and legal concerns. The AMPTP's suggestion to use background performers' images without compensation is an abuse of AI. Streaming services' refusal to disclose viewership data affects performers' pay. AI's ability to replicate actors without proper compensation threatens job security. Regulatory bodies like the FTC are involved, highlighting the need for legal protections for artists. AI should not come at the expense of the creative workforce's rights and livelihoods.
Post a Comment
Read more