With no end in sight to Hollywood’s actors’ strike, a California lawmaker introduced a bill Wednesday that, if passed, would give actors the ability to terminate contracts that require the use of their likeness to create digital avatars using artificial intelligence.
The bill, AB459, would allow actors, including voice actors, to waive vague contracts about using AI to digitally clone their voices, faces and bodies if they are represented by a union or attorney.
Ash Kalra The Democratic representative who introduced the bill represents California’s 25th Assembly District, which includes San Jose, the largest city in Silicon Valley.
“In the absence of a collective bargaining agreement between the union and studios to fairly regulate digital reproduction of an artist’s work, AB 459 is a quick legislative alternative that protects artists’ rights from the real threat of this form of AI,” Kalra said , member of the Assembly, in a statement.
“In a world where your digital self can take over your job, we need common sense requirements around these contractual terms,” he continued. “Requiring informed consent and representation will help ensure that workers are not at risk of unwittingly losing the right to their digital selves and therefore their careers and livelihoods.”
According to a report by Los Angeles Times Contracts that do not clearly define the possible uses of an AI-generated digital replica would reportedly be considered “abusive” under California law and unenforceable.
In June, members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) voted 98% to authorize a strike before heading to the negotiating table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The use of artificial intelligence tools is one of the key points in negotiations between actors and producers.
“The key principles we look for are informed consent and fair remuneration when using any type of artificial intelligence or digital technology to recreate the image or likeness of a person,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national chief executive and head of SAG negotiator. -AFTRA, too Decipher at this moment.
When negotiations between the two groups collapsed in July, SAG-AFTRA members officially joined members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who were already striking the picket line. However, many SAG-AFTRA members have been showing their solidarity with the WGA for weeks.
While using generative AI models to create replicas of voice actors and actresses is a concern for SAG-AFTRA, other demands are on the table, including salary increases, higher broadcast pay, and better health and pension benefits.
