SAG-AFTRA Announces Partnership with AI Company Replica Studios for Video Games

This feels like the next chapter in the Terminator saga. At CES, SAG-AFTRA made all jaws drop to the floor and beyond; especially, on the heels of a recent major actors strike. To the horror and disrespect of all, SAG-AFTRA announces partnership with AI company Replica Studios for Video Games voiceover work.

Come again? AI? AI??? Actors are wanting to receive fair wages for their work; and now the move is still to replace them anyway. RIP and a moment of silence for the sound booth and recording engineer.

Nevertheless, SAG-AFTRA and Replica claims that actors likenesses won’t just be stolen. There will be some sort of compensation. Regarding this business partnership, CEO of Replica Studio, Shreyas Nivas, states,

“Replica is proud to partner with SAG-AFTRA to introduce an ethical approach to the emerging use of generative AI. We are excited by the new opportunities this opens up for world-leading AAA studios who can now access the benefits of Replica’s AI voice technology while knowing that talent is recognized and compensated fairly for the use of their likeness.

Our voice actor agreements ensure that game developers using our platform are only accessing licensed talent who have given permission for their voice to be used as a training data set, as opposed to the wild west of AI platforms using unethical data-scraping methods to replicate and synthesize voices without permission.”

Hhm… interesting. In a press release about all of this AI usage, SAG-AFTRA says that members of the union’s voiceover performer community approves of these new moves. That there is an actual agreement in place. The union reveals that, “In addition to establishing minimum terms and conditions, the agreement ensures performer consent and negotiation for uses of their digital voice double and requires that performers have the opportunity to opt out of its continued use in new works.”

SAG-AFTRA Announces Partnership with AI Company Replica Studios for Video Games

Former actress and now President of SAG-AFTRA, Fran Drescher gives her vote of ‘confidence.’ She mentions,

“Artificial intelligence has dominated the headlines, and for most performers, the best protection against the unauthorized digital simulation of their voice, likeness and/or performance is a SAG-AFTRA contract. We are so happy to partner with Replica Studios, because this is a great example of AI being done right.”

While it is nice to hear, that actors will still receive compensation. This still feels like a step going down a slippery slope. While voiceover artists may receive pay, what about everyone else?

There’s more than just the actor or actress that is involved. Also, it may start with acting today, but may lead to AI writers tomorrow. Or directors and animators.

The guy at the low end of the totem pole may get the short end of stick today; but it ALWAYS eventually works it way to the top. No one escapes. One day the line between greed and fairness in this situation may become blurred and then completely erased.

Is this really want industry folks want? Additionally, what about the consumer experience. Will gamers actually enjoy voices without the human feel? Some voice artists MAKE the game with their performances.

Keeping up with tech is fine. But it should never dilute or ruin the “product.” The entertainment and gaming industries seem to be ignoring and not including their audience in decisions… which could backfire.

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