In a significant move, California signs laws to protect actors against AI, thus addressing growing concerns in the entertainment industry. California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two new laws designed to protect actors and performers from unauthorized digital replicas of their voices or likenesses created using artificial intelligence (AI). These measures come in response to growing concerns over AI’s role in the entertainment industry and follow last year’s SAG-AFTRA strike. The rise of AI platforms like OpenAI has prompted legislative action to protect actors’ rights.
Laws to Prevent AI Exploitation
The first law, AB 1836, prevents the use of deceased individuals’ voices or likenesses without the consent of their estate. This means that even after death, actors’ digital replicas cannot be commercially used in films, TV shows, or other media without proper approval. Previously, exceptions allowed such use in certain circumstances, but the new law removes those loopholes.
The second law, AB 2602, prohibits contracts from including clauses that allow studios to replace a performer’s actual services with a digital replica unless the performer has given explicit, informed consent. This law aims to protect living performers from exploitation in contracts where AI-generated replicas could take their place without their knowledge.
Impact on Performers and Their Estates
In today’s news, California signs laws to protect actors against AI and expand labor protections for performers. The protections, which SAG-AFTRA first won during a strike last year, expand on those efforts and ensure that performers, both living and deceased, have control over their image and voice. With these new laws, California leads the way in providing legal safeguards against AI exploitation in the entertainment industry.
Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA president, praised the legislation, stating that the laws represent a significant victory for performers who are increasingly concerned about AI’s potential to replace human labor in the industry.
AI at the Center of Labor Strikes
AI technology has been a key issue in recent labor strikes, particularly in Hollywood and the video game industry. Video game voice actors, represented by SAG-AFTRA, have also raised concerns about AI, which has become a sticking point in ongoing labor negotiations.
As technology advances, AI has the potential to digitally clone a performer’s voice and image, raising fears that AI-generated replicas could replace actors without proper compensation or consent.
Industry Divided Over New Laws
With companies like OpenAI leading AI advancements, industries are pushing for more stringent regulations. Supporters of the new laws, including labor unions like SAG-AFTRA and the California Labor Federation, argue that these measures are necessary to protect performers from exploitation. They highlight incidents like the AI-generated special recreating late comedian George Carlin’s style and material without his estate’s consent as examples of the potential for abuse.
However, not everyone agrees with the legislation. Critics, including the California Chamber of Commerce, argue that the laws may be difficult to enforce and could lead to lengthy legal battles. Despite this, the laws reflect a growing concern over the unchecked use of AI in the entertainment industry.
California signs laws to protect actors against AI, preventing exploitation through the creation of digital replicas without approval. The new California laws could set a precedent for other states and possibly lead to similar protections on a national level. SAG-AFTRA and other labor unions are pushing for federal legislation, including the No Fakes Act, which was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This federal law would aim to provide similar protections across the country.
As AI technology continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the entertainment industry will balance innovation with workers’ rights. Governor Newsom emphasized that while AI holds great potential for creativity and growth, it is essential to protect workers from its possible negative consequences. The laws are set to take effect in 2025
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