SAG-AFTRA has commended the passage of California bill AB 1836, which imposes restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) replicas of deceased performers. “We are thrilled that one of our top legislative priorities, AB 2602 has passed in the State of California. The bill, which protects not only SAG-AFTRA performers but all performers, is a huge step forward. … 1/2https://t.co/jNF0bRYOef — SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 28, 2024 “AB 1836 is another win in SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing strategy of enhancing performer protections in a world of generative artificial intelligence. The passing of this bill, along with AB 2602 earlier this week, build on our mosaic of protections in law and contract.” The bill is now with Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until the end of September to decide whether to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. AB 2602, passed earlier, also strengthens consent requirements for digital replicas of living performers. SAG-AFTRA called it a “huge step forward” for all performers. The bill, introduced in April and passed on August 27, mandates that studios, streamers, and other employers obtain specific permission from performers to create digital replicas. Unfortunately, we’re beyond AI Replicas of Performers. AI can now create film/TV people out of whole cloth without using existing humans. So unless we’re talking about bankable names, there’s no AI protection from being replaced by a generic AI human. — 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐈𝐭 (@Jorlev_11) August 28, 2024 SAG-AFTRA has been focused on AI protections for over a year, particularly since its 118-day strike, which primarily centered on the use of members’ digital replicas. The union is currently striking against major video game companies over similar concerns, highlighting its dedication to protecting performers’ rights from unauthorized digital use. AB2602 is just one of 7 major bills that passed that add digital identity protections for performers. Congrats on getting 7 major bills! Please encourage @GavinNewsom to sign all 7 bills. @frandrescher #ProtectDID # sagaftrastrong — Matthew Taber (@matthewtaber) September 2, 2024 The Motion Picture Association has already shown its support for this act, reflecting a growing agreement across the industry on the need for stricter AI regulations. AWESOME!!! This is something that needed to pass. — Brian Abel (@Ogrejob) August 29, 2024 For more news and trends, visit AI News on our website.
The bill, approved by the California State Senate, introduces stringent regulations that require the consent of a deceased performer’s estate before their digital likeness can be used in films, TV shows, video games, audiobooks, and sound recordings.
The union emphasized this bill as a legislative priority, making explicit consent in California compulsory.
On a national level, SAG-AFTRA is pushing for bipartisan legislation like the NO FAKES Act, which aims to provide federal protections against the unauthorized use of voice and likeness performances in sound recordings and audiovisual works.
With these bills, SAG-AFTRA continues to advance its strategy to safeguard performers in a rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven world.
SAG-AFTRA Hails New CA Law to Prevent AI From Resurrecting Dead Actors!
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Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.Dave Andre
Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.
Key Takeaways:
“For those who would use the digital replicas of deceased performers in films, TV shows, videogames, audiobooks, sound recordings, and more, without first getting the consent of those performers’ estates, the California Senate just said NO,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline.
If enacted, the law will establish “a cause of action in an amount equal to the greater of $10,000 or the actual damages suffered by the person or persons controlling the rights for the unauthorized production, distribution, or availability of a digital replica, as defined, of a deceased personality in an audiovisual work or sound recording.”
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Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.
