Hollywood Studios and Actors’ Union Find Common Ground on AI

SAG-AFTRA, the largest actors' union globally with 160,000 members, is voting on a newly negotiated contract with Hollywood studios ahead of its expiration at the end of June. The union’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, described the negotiations as more collaborative than in 2023, attributing the progress to a reset in relations between studios and unions after the 118-day strike that disrupted productions and cost studios billions. The new contract introduces protections for AI-generated digital replicas of performers, requiring informed consent and fair compensation. It also limits synthetic AI use to 'unusual circumstances,' where studios must demonstrate that a synthetic character adds significant value to a project. Crabtree-Ireland called these measures a strong disincentive against unauthorized AI use, though not a complete prohibition. AI remained a key concern during negotiations, with performers wary of advancements in generative AI since 2023. The contract mandates that studios consult the union before using synthetic characters, ensuring oversight and transparency. Voting on the agreement closes June 4, with approval needed to avoid another industry-wide strike. The 2023 strike, the longest in Hollywood history, highlighted tensions over AI, wages, and working conditions. This time, both sides reportedly approached talks with a more cooperative mindset, leading to fewer disputes. The new deal aims to balance technological innovation with protections for actors’ rights, marking a shift from the confrontational strikes of the past.