Incorporating Ethical AI Training in SAG-AFTRA Negotiations with the AMPTP

(Open letter to SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher)

Dear President Drescher,

As a dedicated member of SAG-AFTRA, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the usage of past films and videos in the training of generative AI models. I have noticed a lot of discourse surrounding the protection of actors' likenesses, yet surprisingly, there seems to be a lack of conversation regarding the advocacy for ethical AI training methods employed in generative AI.

As you are aware, advancements in AI technology have opened up new possibilities in the world of filmmaking. One such development involves the training of AI models using an extensive database of every film, video clip, and still image in existence. These AI models can then generate new scenes that combine the likeness, voices, and movements of various performers, including background actors. Not only can the resulting scenes be virtually indistinguishable from real performances, it is impossible to ascertain the source material used or to identify the performers involved. These AI-generated scenes are essentially an amalgamation of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of past performances by SAG-AFTRA actors. There is a pressing need to address the potential implications for actors and their rights. One critical issue is the lack of transparency surrounding the usage of our past acting performances in AI training. Without proper disclosure, we are left in the dark, unaware if our work is being utilized to generate entirely new film clips or other forms of media. Moreover, once an AI model is trained, there is no "delete" button for an actor to remove their work.

This lack of transparency severely undermines our ability to exercise control over our own work and artistic representation. As actors, we invest our talent, passion, and creativity into our performances, striving to convey authentic characters and emotions. However, if our past performances are repurposed and manipulated without our knowledge or consent, it compromises our artistic integrity and personal identity. Using our work to train their AI without compensation is akin to theft. These AI systems will send studio profits soaring to unthinkable levels and it's built on the backs of union actors.

Furthermore, the usage of performances by background performers in AI training for generating crowd scenes raises additional concerns. The motion and images of background performers, often integral to creating realistic and immersive environments, can be extracted and used to generate entirely new crowd scenes without any compensation. This disregard for the contributions of background performers is both unjust and detrimental to their livelihoods. This technology is evolving so rapidly that it is within reason to speculate that AI could replace nearly all background actors within the next two years.

Given the potential ramifications of this technology, I strongly urge SAG-AFTRA to incorporate ethical AI training into the negotiations with the AMPTP. It is of utmost importance that any AI training utilizing past performances is conducted transparently and with the full consent of the actors involved. Additionally, fair compensation should be provided to actors whose likeness is used for AI training purposes. As a member of SAG-AFTRA, I believe that ethical AI training practices must be established and upheld. I request your support in advocating for the following:

1. Transparency and Informed Consent: The industry must provide clear and comprehensive information about the usage of our past performances in AI training. Actors should have the right to give informed consent before their performances are used in generative AI models. AI companies and developers must maintain and disclose records of all data used in their training process. This information should be publicly accessible. Any AI model that has already used unauthorized SAG performer data for training must be completely retrained by opt-in only.

2. Control over Artistic Representation: Actors should retain control over how their performances are interpreted, repurposed, and portrayed in AI-generated content. The industry should respect our rights to approve or reject the usage of our past performances for AI-generated projects.

3. Fair Compensation: Actors whose past performances are used in AI training should be fairly compensated, including residuals for any commercial use of AI-generated content. Background performers whose motions and images are used to generate crowd scenes should receive appropriate compensation for their contributions.

4. Industry-wide Guidelines and Standards: SAG-AFTRA, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, should establish guidelines and ethical standards for AI training, usage, and compensation. Educational initiatives should be developed to inform actors about the implications of AI technology and their rights within this evolving landscape.

While it may be futile to resist the advancement of AI technology itself, we have an opportunity to shape the industry's approach to AI training. By advocating for ethical practices, we can ensure that the rights and interests of actors are protected in this rapidly evolving landscape. Incorporating transparency and consent into AI training protocols will help strike a balance between technological innovation and safeguarding the rights of performers.

It is imperative that SAG-AFTRA takes a proactive stance in ensuring that our rights as actors are protected in the face of technological advancements. We rely on your leadership and representation to address these pressing concerns and negotiate with industry entities to establish fair and ethical practices surrounding AI training and usage.

I kindly request that you consider my concerns and champion the cause of ethical AI training during your negotiations with the AMPTP. This is an opportunity to take a proactive stance and lead the industry in shaping responsible AI practices. I believe that together, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP can set a precedent that will benefit both actors and the future of filmmaking.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing your commitment to ensuring ethical AI training becomes an integral part of the industry's practices.

Sincerely,

Christophe Petit

SAG-AFTRA Member,

Ethical AI Training Organization

Director