Actors’ unions have negotiated a new agreement that strengthens protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. The deal comes after widespread concern that studios and producers might use AI technologies to replicate performers’ voices, likenesses, or performances without fair consent or compensation. In response, union leaders pushed for clearer rules to ensure that actors’ rights are preserved in an era where AI tools can imitate human attributes with increasing realism.
Under the improved terms, performers will have more control over how AI can use their digital likenesses and performances. This includes stronger consent requirements and contractual safeguards so that actors must explicitly agree before their voice, image, or performance data is used to train models or create synthetic content. The new protections aim to prevent situations where AI could be used to generate unauthorized performances that replace or replicate an actor’s work without equitable compensation.
The agreement also addresses compensation structures for AI-generated uses. Rather than treating AI outputs as free to exploit once consent is given, the deal outlines conditions for residuals or additional payment when AI repurposes a performer’s likeness in new ways or in projects beyond the original scope. This reflects broader efforts within creative industries to update labor frameworks in response to advancing technologies, ensuring that workers benefit from innovation rather than being displaced by it.
Industry observers have framed the deal as a meaningful step toward balancing technological progress with fair labor practices. By establishing clear norms for consent, use, and compensation, the union’s agreement seeks to build trust between performers and studios while recognizing the growing role of AI in media production. The move may influence other creative sectors as they navigate similar challenges related to generative technologies and intellectual property rights.
