Gaming Industry’Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested': Major union SAG-AFTRA breaks glass on big red strike button as negotiations continue on voice actor AI protectionsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Gaming Industry’Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested': Major union SAG-AFTRA breaks glass on big red strike button as negotiations continue on voice actor AI protectionsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: SAG-AFTRA)

In September of last year, voice acting members of the SAG-AFTRA union—which represents a broad swathe of over 160,000 performing professionals across the industry—voted overwhelmingly toapprove a strike.

This came after an Interactive Media Agreement with SAG-AFTRA expired in 2022, after being extended for two years—one of the reasons why a new agreement has not yet been reached? A slightly impactful new piece of technology called generative AI.

Aside from the fact we’ve now got to worry about Google’s new features recommending wedrink our own wee, generative AI has been anightmare for voice actors, and videogame companies haven’t been doing enough to protect performers according to SAG-AFTRA. As anannouncement statement reads:

“Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested. Our membership voted more than 98% yes to authorise a strike of this contract should the employers not come to the table with a deal that includes our critical provisions—especially in A.I.”

The vote gives the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the power to call a strike as negotiations continue. Essentially, it looks like the glass has been broken on the big red button, and the proverbial finger is lingering over it with an eyebrow raised.

Crabtree-Ireland finished the statement with the following: “We are steadfast in our commitment to our membership who work this contract and whose extraordinary performances are the heart and soul of the world’s most popular video games. Time is running out for the companies to make a deal.”

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While I still think we’re a far way from generative AI replacing any actual performances, that doesn’t mean the kind of corporate geniuses whocooked up NEO NPCsto create a bajillion immersions won’t try to squeeze the tech for all it’s worth, especially if it means they could hypothetically save some money—but hey, that’s just my cynicism speaking.

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