SAG-AFTRA Releases Full Terms Of AI Voice Agreement After Backlash From Members

11.01.2024 - 14:05 / gamespot.com / Hayley Williams / Ai

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Both SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios are sharing more details about an announcement that has been incredibly unpopular with voice actors and gamers alike.

By Hayley Williams on

Yesterday, performers union SAG-AFTRA announced a deal with AI voice studio Replica Studios that would allow game developers to use AI-generated voices on union projects. The announcement was met with outcry from many of the industry's most prolific voice actors, who claim they were blindsided by the agreement.

Today, the union and Replica have both revealed more details about the agreement, including releasing the full text of the contract itself, complete with compensation requirements and details around consent and protections required for using AI voices.

While SAG-AFTRA's initial press release stated that the agreement was approved by «affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community,» an FAQ released today clarifies that the bargaining was done by the union's Interactive Media Negotiating Committee in a process that has been «years in the making.» SAG-AFTRA also explains that this contract was not required to be sent out to members for a referendum as it «only sets terms for a single company.» Per the terms of its constitution, this kind of contract can be approved by the executive committee.

The FAQ also clarifies that this deal is separate to the Interactive Media Agreement that is currently being negotiated with a number of major players in the games industry--though it notes that the Replica Studio agreement's terms are in line with the AI protections currently being bargained for. The strike authorization related to those negotiations is still current, and could still be triggered sometime this year.

In clarifying the agreement, SAG-AFTRA acknowledges that the decision won't be popular with all its members, noting that «member viewpoints on AI vary greatly, from those who would like to ban it to those who are excited about the opportunities it presents.» The union's approach to AI is to get in early on the emerging technology, establishing ethical practices before its use becomes widespread in the industry.

Today's full Instagram Live on the Replica Studios agreement will be available on our Instagram soon! For now, learn more about the agreement on our website: https://t.co/cv903BNN5i

The agreement has two parts--a development contract that governs the recording and creation of an AI voice (called a «digital replica» in the contract), and a contract that covers licensing and use of said digital replicas to develop a game.

In terms of compensation, voice actors