SAG-AFTRA Inks Agreement With Replica Studios For AI Digital Voice Replication Use In Video Games

deadline.com:

Amid a lengthy contract negotiation with the video game industry, SAG-AFTRA has inked a deal with Replica Studios regarding the use of AI digital voice replicas in video games.

The guild’s National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced the deal with Replica on Tuesday alongside the studio’s CEO Shreyas Nivas at the Las Vegas tech summit CES.

The agreement will span both the creation of digital voice replicas and their use throughout game development. The deal includes minimum rates and terms that require safe storage of performer data, transparency around the nature of the content of digital replica will be used for, performer consent for use of their replica in any new project, limitations on the amount of time that a performance replica can be employed without further payment, and consent.

Crabtree-Ireland explained that the agreement highlight’s SAG-AFTRA’s “intent and ability to work with employers to create terms that benefit and protect our members and allow them to engage with opportunities driven by new technologies.” The deal comes on the heels of the actors guild’s deal with the film and TV studios, which was finally ratified in December after a strike that lasted nearly six months.